Illinois River near Tahlequah, Ok
Date: January 14-16, 2017 | Sponsor: DDRC |
River: Illinois, NE Oklahoma | Trip Leader: Earl Atnip |
Reach: Chewy Bridge to Sparrow Hawk Campground
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Phone: 214-228-0952 |
Difficulty: Class I * (See scale below) | E-mail: e-atnip@ti.com |
Rendezvous: 8am on the 14th at Sparrow Hawk campground | Required Skills: Basic flat-water paddling with Class 1 rapids. If the river gets up to 800CFS it may be a little difficult for beginners. |
Campground: We will announce a backup plan based on
river conditions
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Trip
Description:
This is a polar paddle along the slow moving Illinois river. This is January and it is northern Oklahoma so it can be cold. See the link below for last years trip report. This is a 3 day 2 night paddle with camping on gravel bars along the rivers edge. Total distance is about 30 miles with the first days paddle covering about 12-14 so we need to be on the water by 10am. We will meet at Sparrow Hawk campground at 8am with our put in at the Chewey Bridge. Some may elect to arrive the night before and camp at Sparrow Hawk. Bring what you need to eat and stay warm. There should be plenty of wood for a nice campfire each night barring any rain or blizzards. This time of year there are plenty of Bald Eagles and Osprey and deer along the river. If we are lucky we might see an elk also. Jan 2015 Trip report in link below https://sites.google.com/site/earlatnipsplace/home/2015-illinois-river-ok-jan Please check the DDRC WEB page and DDRC Meetup for cancellation due to high water or heavy rain. Contact Earl Atnip for questions or if you’d like to come 214-882-0952. Gear Requirements: Almost any river worthy boat will suffice for this flat water trip. Bring PFD's, a whistle for each person. Bring your camp and paddle gear, a paddle, sleeping bag, tent, warm clothing rain gear, water or filtration system. January can be very cold along this river, be prepared for snow, ice or rain. Meals: Bring what you need to sustain yourself, dried meal or other, utensils, plate, coffee cup. Plan for 2 breakfasts and dinners and 2-3 lunches. PLEASE - NO GLASS OR FOAM POLYSTYRENE STYROFOAM CONTAINERS! Backup Plan: None Driving Directions:
This
reach of the Illinois River is located in Cherokee County on SH 10 just
northeast of Tahlequah.
From
Dallas
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From Dallas, follow US 75N to McAlester
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Follow US 69N to OK 165E (south of Muskogee)
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Turn EAST (right) onto US 62E / OK 10N (east of
Muskogee), go through Tahlequah
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Turn RIGHT on US 62E / OK 10N, and then drive out
of Tahlequah to the SH 10 split
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Turn LEFT where OK 10N splits from US 612E
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Go approximately 4 miles, and the road to Sparrow
Hawk Camp will be on the right side of the highway.
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* 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. |
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