Paddling the Nueces River and the South Llano River in the same day
A lovely July day was made more perfect with a morning paddle on the Nueces and an afternoon paddle on the South Llano. The relatively close proximity of these two rivers, a little more than an hour apart, made it very doable.
1st of Two Rivers – The Nueces
The first comment from all paddlers I spoke with about my desire to paddle the Nueces is “is there enough water? Due to the frequent low water flow it has been an elusive river for us. However, a rainy July provided enough water remaining on the Nueces in late July that it was comfortably passable. The half a dozen features were a little bumpy, but it was not necessary to get out of the boat, a few hip wiggles were enough to move us along. In between the drops and narrows held beautiful cold, crystal-clear water flowing over the limestone shelves and stone bed of the river. Many pools were over 6ft deep! We launched from a low water crossing on River Road for our 3+-mile paddle to Wes Cooksey RV Park. For a small fee we were able to park our truck in the shade and use their ramp for our takeout.
We were the only vehicle in the launch parking lot and we encountered no one else along the river. Sporadic ramps and stairs for landowners reminded us that it was possible to meet others, but we were lucky enough to enjoy the river by ourselves. Blue Heron and other birds were visible, along with schools of minnows in the water. After a lunch break at the side of the river in the shade, we began to experience signs of humanity. Only within a 1/2 mile of the takeout did we hear a few rumbling trucks and see structures within sight of the water. It made for a beautiful morning paddle.
What I will be telling folks that ask about paddling the Nueces is: if you catch it with enough water, the water and surrounding area are as beautiful as the Devils River without having to camp out or fight the headwind.
River flow: 48.4 cfs, 13.5ft at Barksdale Weather: Cloudless sky, low 80s, mild, manageable wind from south(headwind)
2nd of Two Rivers – South Llano
About an hour north we passed our put in of the South Llano River outside Junction. The benefit of coming from the south is we were able to scope out the sections of the river we intended to paddle. Which we did as we drove to CR 150 to set our vehicle at the low river crossing parking area. There was 1 car parked at the put in and another at the 2nd river crossing so we were optimistic we would once again have a river to ourselves.
Putting in at the 1st river crossing we launched into the water and in short order ran the first of nearly 20 drops and narrows that require steering strokes and hip wiggles to pass. We were happy when we very quickly passed the party from the vehicles gently floating early on the river. We saw more herons and other birds as well as more, and larger fish as we paddled down the river. The Llano seems more densely populated, just 65 or so miles north, the ranches must be smaller as there are more frequent ramps, stairs or ladders for the landowners to access the river. That said, still we saw no one else on the river. The South Llano is just as clear; however, the water is a bit warmer and takes on an emerald green hue. The rocks are more like boulders that separated from the cliffs and bounced into place along the sides of the river. Rocks below the water are much larger than what we saw on the Nueces and do not completely cover the bottom.
The 2nd water crossing, (1st one that we came to since we launched at the access point referred to as 1st water crossing) requires a portage. This is best achieved by approaching the concrete road apron closest to river right bank. The algae seemed less thick here and I was able to bring my boat parallel to the concrete and get out while bracing above the water line. This is the key to getting out easily. Attempting to exit in the deeper water closer to the drains requires navigating several feet of algae covered concrete, on a slope. This can be entertaining. Certainly challenging. And possibly require the assistance of a local cowboy with a rope to help pull you up. Continuing on with rapid river drops and narrows the excitement of the river continues and culminates with 3 sets of rapids in close succession to complete the nearly 5 mile paddle. With the south wind at our back nad the gentle flow of the river it made for another lovely paddle.
River flow: 56.2cfs, 2.2 ft at Junction Weather: Cloudless sky, high 80s, mild wind from south(at our backs)
The South Llano nearly always has enough water to paddle, if you find yourself in the region and have the benefit of recent rains, do scope out the Nueces for a possible run. Each paddle took less than 2 hours to complete at a leisurely pace. With lovely places to stay/camp at either both rivers you can make it a weekend adventure relaxing near Campwood and Junction.
Grace paddled an unskirted Jackson Traverse 9, Dan paddled an Ocean Kayak Frenzy
Did you have a great paddle this summer? Or successful paddling the Nueces at some point? Share your paddling stories. Send your write up and up to 4 pictures to vicepresident@txrivers.org. We’ll try to include on our blog.
