The park is located 275 miles southwest of Dallas. It is about 3 miles past Junction, Texas on Hwy. 377. The scenery varies from tall cliffs to flats with over hanging pecan trees. This is a beautiful area with abundant deer, Turkeys, and other wildlife. You also will have a scenic drive thru the Texas Hill country to get there.

Everyone needs to make their own arrangements for lodging.

You can reserve an elec. & water campsite in the park, or a hotel room in nearby Junction. If you want a park reservation, you need to make it A.S.A.P.( in January), because this park books up early. (You can always cancel later if you can’t make the trip.)

The dates to reserve are April 19-20. The TPWD reservation number is (512) 389-8900, or go to the TPWD website. South Llano River State Park website.

Friday night we will have a pot luck dinner. We will be putting in at the second US Highway 377 crossing past the park on Saturday, and then floating down to the park (12 miles.) Bring a lunch with you for the float, plenty of water, and sun protection. Saturday night we will go into Junction for Tex Mex, or you can cook at the campground. We will also do a 4 mile stretch, from the state park to Flat Rock takeout, on Sunday morning.

Please contact Sam Sloan 214-957-9374, if you are thinking of coming. He will put you on the trip e-mail list, and notify you of any changes. If for some reason the trip is canceled - there is no backup plan.

For a complete description of this reach of the South Llano River please visit Southwest Paddler.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.

Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.