Nineteen paddlers in nineteen boats line up along the Yadkin River in Rockford for a 10 mile float toward Pilot Mountain. Our group is organized by Belinda Lamm and is part of a Meetup group. Those without boats could rent them from Yadking River Adventures in Rockford, YRA is providing the shuttle back to Rockford after our float. A short safety instruction is given and we are launched.
The course is punctuated with a series of class one ledges and one long rock garden. There are experienced paddlers and there are first timers. Some are in traditional kayaks and other in Sit on Tops. A few folks got caught on rocks and needed to be dislodged and we had one swimmer during the float.
River level was low but I barely touched bottom in a few spots. When I did it was on a sandy bottom.
Toward the end of the float, Pilot Mountain came into view. As we came closer, it disappeared behind trees.
Lunch was on a sandy beach. Actually, lunch was on two sandy beaches since a few of our group assisted the swimmer and his water filled boat while the rest floated a bit farther down river.
This is as rough as the going got. Everyone made it through this ledge.
Some Trumpet Creeper along the riverside.
As the float entered Pilot mountain State Park, there was some concern we had somehow missed the take out spot. The river is split by some islands just ahead and our leader doesn't recall that on the previous float. A call to YRA is placed and we are assured we have not missed the take out. Actually, we go another 200 yards and we are there. The take out is a bit of a chore but soon we are headed back to Rockford.
No comments:
Post a Comment