Gasconade River Trip

May 17 @ 8:00 am – May 18 @ 5:00 pm    Free – $11.50

The Gasconade, probably named for French settlers from the province of Gascony in southwestern France, is reputed to be one of the most crooked rivers in the world. Entirely within Missouri, the river winds nearly 300 miles from its source near Hartville to the Missouri River, which is an airline distance of about 120 miles. In an area near Waynesville, you can float for 15 miles and be only two miles overland from your put-in. Although it has less gradient than some Ozark rivers, the Gasconade has some surprisingly fast sections, yet is still a good, safe family float stream. Because the river flows through the Mark Twain National Forest, write to the National Park Service Houston Ranger District for maps showing where camping is available.

Dru Pippin describes the Gasconade well in The Rivers of Missouri when he says, “…steep bluffs, gorgeous cuts, hairpin turns, and lazy eddies; hardwoods, softwoods and dogwoods, hidden logs, protruding boulders that weathering has tumbled from adjacent cliffs, wildflowers and shrubs, birds and bees, four-legged creatures quenching their thirst at my water’s edge, while listless white clouds float above as though convoying my trip.” Difficulty: I, seldom II.

We’ll be putting in at Schlicht Springs Access, mm 106.1, on Riverside Road off Hwy 133  (Schlicht Springs Access – Google Maps).  There is camping there according to the Paddler’s Guide. We will paddle to the Riddle Bridge Access, mm 129.9, off Route Y (https://maps.app.goo.gl/t5ZX5bvR12CVSEUEA), stopping on a gravel bar somewhere Saturday night. (Gasconade II section in Paddler’s Guide to Missouri)

We will most likely drive down early Saturday morning.

Bring enough food and water for the weekend and check the forecast for the appropriate camping and paddling gear.

This trip is suitable for minors who are strong paddlers (it has a slow current).

Recommended boats: canoes and 12′-14′ kayaks.. 

We will post trip updates on the trip forum.

Trip leader: Eileen Lenkman  eileen.lenkman@sbcglobal.net

1. To attend this trip/event:
   1. You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
      This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
   2.  You must fill out THIS waiver if you ARE an ACA member (even if you already have an annual waiver signed with ACA).  This is a NEW waiver our club will be using for the rest of the year, and you only need to sign this waiver once. (Where it says, “Name of Event”, put “SLCKC annual waiver.”)  https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/VSyMLYT6M3s3w4jDmWBhwN/  
   3. If you or your attending child are not an ACA member, fill out this waiver. It includes options for adults and minors:

   https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/s6JqGiXvn2KhXKamwXEFy6/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)