Buffalo Bayou in Texas

Trip Overview

I put in at the Terry Hershey park site at Beltway 8, near Briar Hill Dr. The bayou is very high due to the ongoing release of floodwaters from the Addicks Reservoir.

There is a lot of tree fall in the Bayou, and you have to be alert to choose the right path and successfully navigate the bends and their accompanying currents.

About 30 minutes downstream, I encountered a fallen tree which completely blocks the bayou, at 29.760206, -95.550264. You can see this fallen tree on google earth. I turned around and went up a side ditch north towards Legend Ln. The side ditch mouth is at 29.760958, -95.552332. Probably not normally navigable, but with the bayou so high, it was a nice little paddle, with very calm waters. Didn't try to portage around the fallen tree--the bayou banks are steep, and didn't want to risk getting pinned against the tree.

I was able to get out under a bridge on Legend Ln, at 29.763239, -95.553931. You really have to plan your take out on Buffalo Bayou. Getting out in a place accessible for pickup is not obvious.

Accommodations:

Good put in location with parking at the Terry Hershey Beltway 8 location. Getting out is a problem--planned to get out at Briar Bend Park, where there's a good takeout, and decent on street parking.

Fees:

None