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Longpaddler
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We did the Buffalo several years ago shortly after a good rain week...we were able to put in on the upper stretch which most paddlers don't get to do, due to water levels. It wouldn't hurt to have some whitewater skills, as its a pool-drop river...some of the drops approached a Class II+ with some maneuvering skills needed....again...depends a lot of river level. I would strongly suggest royalex boats, as it can be bony in some places. It's a great river and beautiful scenery. Saw a herd of elk at one place and lots of other wildlife. We used the designated campsites along the river and found them very clean and deserted (Feb trip). The whole trip, we only saw one other camper. Plenty of gravel bars if you prefer. All in all, a great experience.
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shawhh
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river level on the buffalo is very sensitive to rain. low and slow can rapidly turn to high and fast with a rainstorm upstream of you. friends that i trip with woke up to water coming in their tent one night after a storm upstream of them. they were several feet above the river when they went to sleep. always keep an eye on the weather, place your camp higher on the gravel bar than you think you need to, tie your canoe as well as bring it up out of the water, and lastly, having done the above, don't worry too much about it and enjoy the adventure. i'm heading to the buffalo in about 11 days.
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jwartman59
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we just paddled the buffalo the second week of march. actually the water was very low until a very powerful thunderstorm changed that. then the water was a bit higher than expected. weather was iffy but if you are coming down from minnesota it was no problem.
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shawhh
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april is a great time to be on the buffalo. however, keep your eye on the weather and the river gauges, as the water can be high. should be shirtsleeve weather during the day, and a light jacket in the evening. a great time to be out.
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BWPaddler
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Guess late March would be even worse... in terms of high water - esp with the snowfall all over... Thanks!
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Winemaker
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august or september; May is always "whitewater month". we do a long weekend at the NOC, paddle the nantahala a bunch, little t, tuck', whatever has water in it. Good class II-III stuff.
Still pondering the question tho
hummm?
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shawhh
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buffalo in the fall may be pretty low. current is more even in the amount of water in it. something to think about.
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Winemaker
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Hey folks,
We car considering a week canoe-camping trip on either the Current River (MO) or the Buffalo (AR) River. I have alot of time on the Current ove the last 20 years, but not the Buffalo.
Anyone like to comment on their preference or contrast the two probable trips?
We like to camp on gravel bars, not at regular campgrounds. I do have guidebooks for both rivers, looking for osme first hand experience...
humm?
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BWPaddler
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what month you thinking of winemaker?? I'm considering the buffalo in may perhaps (would be first time).
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BWPaddler
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sounds like an excuse to do both! Buffalo in the spring and Current in the fall... what's not to like?
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BWPaddler
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OK, the long May BW trip might be falling through due to timing.
Anyone know what the Buffalo would be like in late April? Will it be warm there yet? River too high in places? Anyone got the scoop?
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shawhh
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back from a 125 mile trip on the buffalo. put in at ponca and took out at riley's landing just across the white river from the mouth of the buffalo. water level was good to high and we averaged from 4.5 mph to 9 mph on our trip. mix of storms and clear weather. temps from the upper 30's a couple of nights to the mid 80's a couple of days and everything in between. we took it easy and only paddled about 4 hrs a day, enjoying the gravel bar life otherwise. high water made the rapid at clabber creek sporty, but made it through with the open side of the canoe upright and dry inside. wave trains over the shoals were a bit higher than i've seen in the past, but no problem to navigate. lots of wildlife seen including elk, deer, otter, beaver, mink, and groundhog. lots of migrating and resident birds seen throughout the trip including, but not limited to bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons, green herons, blue wing teal, wood ducks, ovenbirds, louisiana waterthrush, hooded warbler, parula, barred owl, great horned owl, chuck will's widow, whip poor will, and many more. a super trip along a magnificent river.
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BWPaddler
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No buffalo for me this year, just made the call for a longer May BW trip. Some day though!
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shawhh
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both are very nice floats, but for my taste, the buffalo is the best. more interesting water, more drop dead scenery. just my opinion.
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Winemaker
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We always do the Current the last (4-day) weekend in October with 25 friends, but stay in a camp. We'd like to spend a whole week working our way down the current to see places we've never been and do some canoe-camping on those great gravel bars. Then someone said, "You ought to try the Buffalo..." and the confusion started.
hummm?
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