I'd like to do some paddling in the Des Moines area Sept. 12 and maybe 13 (Sun.-Mon.). Maybe I could do a one-day paddle Sunday with others on the Des Moines, Raccoon, Boone, or Skunk. Then if everyone else has to go to work Monday, I could stay at my friend's house in DM overnight, and paddle a short section of river Monday and she could pick me up at the end point when she gets off work. Of course if someone else can paddle Monday, we'd just run a regular shuttle.
As long as I get to do the section of the Des Moines with the Kate Shelley High Bridge and Ledges State Park in there, that is the main thing.
I would also be able to come over to DM Sat. night the 11th and camp, as well as camp Sun. night instead of staying at my friend's house.
"Paddling Iowa" says minimum 200 cfs at the Webster City gauge for not too much scraping, with 400 cfs being a great paddling level. I'm seeing 92 cfs.
Dolliver to Skillet Creek (Des Moines River 3 in "Paddling Iowa") looks like fun. Wouldn't mind doing that on Sunday. Is the river fast enough that 20.7 miles would be realistic, or would a 16-17-mile stretch be better?
I went from Briggs to Bevers last night and never had to get out - did a little scraping tho.
Dolliver to Skillet creek is doable but it would take a long time - the DM isn't very swift in this area. Kalo to Dolliver is a good one at 8.8 miles or you can add a couple more and float to Lehigh or even a couple more at Deception Hollow.
those are all possibilities. I would include (if never paddled this area before) 1st Kalo to Dolliver 2nd south of Dolliver (Deception, Forks) 3rd Skillet Creek to Ledges.
There are some other cool features to hike to along these areas too. http://www.stroner.com/woodman/ - woodman hollow
Dolliver has some ok hiking trails and native american burial mounds/remnants
Deception Hollow - boy could I tell you some stories about this area.
Thanks for the info! Any of that would sound good to me.
I would definitely like to get some plans ironed out for a trip sooner rather than later because I'm going to be pretty busy these next few weeks and this is a long way for me to drive (I rarely travel more than 3 hours from home).
Will check out the links you provided when I get mroe time. They all sound really interesting!
Been to Ledges before, want to go there again. I love that park!
OK, we're thinking Kalo to either Lehigh or Deception Hollow Sunday, and Boone Waterworks to E57 Monday. Will have to get an early start Monday morning in order to get the paddling in, meet another friend in Des Moines for supper, and drive 3+ hours home so I can get some sleep and be in to work Tues. morning.
Keep Us posted as this is one of my favorite floats! If things work out I'll tag along, I'll even bring trailer for the shuttle!
There is a bar in Otho that sets a mighty good plate of Hash browns! Jim
We only need two people and two vehicles minimum for this to happen and I am dead set on going. I can be at Deception Hollow at 10:30 Sunday morning Sept. 12.
I will need to know by 9am Thursday, Sept. 9, if this trip is going to happen for sure. There are other people wanting to do stuff with me that weekend if I don't go paddling, and I don't want to keep them hanging until the last minute.
So, Jim, Cornboy, and whoever else is interested, I do need a firm commitment from you by then!
