- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
In the early stages of planning a backpacking trip in Ozarks
Posted on 8/21/20 at 10:09 pm
Posted on 8/21/20 at 10:09 pm
Me and four buddies have 90% decided on doing the Ponca Loop which runs along the buffalo river. Question: there looks like there are 1 or 2 spots that the trail crosses the river at deepish spots. How do you cross those spots while backpacking? I may be wrong about the depth but I’ve tried looking at several different satellite images. This will be in November so not sure about water levels.
Posted on 8/21/20 at 10:48 pm to VanRIch
Bring one of those cheap inflatable rafts, oval with sides.
Posted on 8/21/20 at 10:51 pm to VanRIch
Have you read any of the trail guides? Most discuss crossings.
Generally in November the Upper Buffalo is shallow barring a heavy rain event. It’s the spring time that it gets wooly.
Generally in November the Upper Buffalo is shallow barring a heavy rain event. It’s the spring time that it gets wooly.
Posted on 8/21/20 at 11:02 pm to VanRIch
Seriously, a lot of hikes in that area are best in fall when the water is down. What are other forums (gasp) saying?
Posted on 8/22/20 at 8:18 am to VanRIch
Bring water shoes. Swap your shoes, roll up the pants legs and walk across because at that time of year it won't be deep.
You should check trail conditions because I think it is closed right now and I have read it is not well marked and slightly over grow. Navigating trails in the fall/winter can be difficult due to the leaves covering the trail.
You should check trail conditions because I think it is closed right now and I have read it is not well marked and slightly over grow. Navigating trails in the fall/winter can be difficult due to the leaves covering the trail.
Posted on 8/22/20 at 9:09 am to VanRIch
The river will decide. I’ve seen it a raging dangerous torrent and a practically stagnant stream in November.
Like the previous poster said, have your water shoes ready and strip down to cross.
Otherwise, you’ll need to go off trail to seek a crossing sometimes, usually where a sandbar island is. It’s pretty easy since you can just follow the river.
Alternatively, pick a route that means you never really need to cross. How far do you want to travel?
You could park at Compton, hike Sneeds Creek to Goat Trail, down to river, river trail to Hemmed in Hollow, follow back up to Compton trail head. You could do as much as 14 miles this way depending on your wandering. It’s a big loop essentially.
Like the previous poster said, have your water shoes ready and strip down to cross.
Otherwise, you’ll need to go off trail to seek a crossing sometimes, usually where a sandbar island is. It’s pretty easy since you can just follow the river.
Alternatively, pick a route that means you never really need to cross. How far do you want to travel?
You could park at Compton, hike Sneeds Creek to Goat Trail, down to river, river trail to Hemmed in Hollow, follow back up to Compton trail head. You could do as much as 14 miles this way depending on your wandering. It’s a big loop essentially.
Posted on 8/22/20 at 10:38 am to VanRIch
Just keep an eye on the rain and check these before you go. I always like to look at two just in case there's a bust in one of the site's data.
USGS water level
Buffalorriver.com water level
USGS water level
Buffalorriver.com water level
Posted on 8/22/20 at 10:43 am to VanRIch
Don't forget to pack tick repellent.
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News