Dallas Downriver Club

Memorial Weekend Trip May 18, 2014 UPDATE!!!!!!

Date: May 24 - 26th, 2014 Sponsor: DDRC
River:Sabine Trip Leader: Bryan Jackson
Reach: 3 days Phone: 972-979-2519
Difficulty: Flatwater - no rapids * (See scale below) E-mail: paddlinpals@yahoo.com
Rendezvous: US Hwy 63 Saturday Morning
Campground: Riverside sandbar beaches

May 18, 2014 UPDATE!!!!!!

I just received update from Danny at TackAPaw about the shuttle. There will be one and only one shuttle bus run on Saturday morning and that will take place between 8:30 and 9 am. Plan on being at the bridge with your boat load and ready to go at 8:30. Otherwise you will be leaving your vehicle at the bridge and we will have to shuttle you back on Monday afternoon. 

Shuttle fee will be $10 per driver/vehicle.


If you have not already RSVP'd, please do so as soon as possible.

There will be pot lucks on both nights, but lets try to keep it simple and  don't over load on food as we always see to have too much.

May 18, 2014 UPDATE!!!!!!

Trip Description:

 The Memorial Day trip on the Sabine River below Toldeo Bend will be May 24-26. We will meet at the TX 63 / LA 8 bridge over the Sabine on Saturday morning run a shuttle and spend the better part of 3 days and two nights on the river, taking out around midday on Monday. I estimate that we will do about 10 miles on Saturday, somewhere between 12 and 14 on Sunday and the balance of the 28 miles on Monday.
  Camping will be on one of the abundant sandy beaches and it will be hot if its sunny, so bring appropriate gear and plenty of fluids. There will be lots of time for swimming and keeping cool.

 More details will be posted soon on the DDRC event calendar, but in order to get a commitment on the shuttle price from the outfitter, I need a head count of who is coming and an approximate number of vehicles fairly soon. Please RSVP as quickly as you can.

If you have any questions, please call me at 972-979-2519

 

Gear Requirements:

Bring boats (just about any seaworthy craft will do for this trip), PFD's (lifejackets), paddles (a spare is recommended), a whistle or other signalling device, throwbag, tent, ground pad, sleeping bag, clothing for hot, cold, wet and dry conditions, camp chair, headlamp, plate(s), flatware, drinking cup, personal toiletries and other items that you may want to have with you. A small cooler for drinks and lunches to be carried in your boat would be recommended. Bring everythng you need for two nights on the river. Fishing Licenses are recommended as the river is patrolled by TP&W this time of year and so are the river access points.

Meals:

Everyone will be responsible for their own food, although if the fishing is good the chances of a fish feast breaking out are likely. Bring plenty of beverages, but remember - NO GLASS OR FOAM POLYSTYRENE STYROFOAM CONTAINERS!

Back-up Plans:

There is no backup plan for this trip. If, for any reason, the trip on the Sabine cannot be made, then it will be cancelled.

Driving Directions:

This reach of the Sabine River is located in Panola County near the Louisiana border and just above Toledo Bend Reservoir. It is about 30 miles south of Marshall, just outside Carthage.

From Dallas via US 175 & US 69:

Follow US 175 east from Dallas to Jacksonville and the junction with US 69 south. Turn right (south) on to US 69.

Follow US 69 south to Zavalla, Turn Left on TX 63 east towards Jasper. 

Follow TX 63 through the towns of Jasper and Burkeville to the Sabine River. Unloading area is on the right before you go over the bridge.

From Dallas via I 20 and US 96S:

Follow I 20 east to exit 595A (TX 322 S/Estes Pkwy).

Turn Right on S Estes Pkwy and continue to TX-149E.

Turn right onto TX-149E /US 79S follow to US 59S.

Turn Right on US 59 S then bear on to US 96S when 59 and 96 split south of Carthage. 

Follow TX96 to Jasper.

Turn Right on TX 63 and follow TX 63 through the towns of Jasper and Burkeville to the Sabine River. Unloading area is on the right before you go over the bridge.

 



Middle Sabine River in Panola County




* International Scale of River Difficulty

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

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.

 
Copyright © 1996-2011, Dallas Downriver Club. All rights reserved.  You may not copy, distribute, or use these materials except for your personal, non-commercial use. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All original photographic images are the exclusive property of Dallas Downriver Club or other designated photographers and may not be copied, duplicated, reproduced, distributed or used in any manner without prior written permission of the copyright owner under penalty of US and International laws and treaties.

Last updated May 18, 2014 5:17 PM