White River (North Fork) in Missouri - Weekend Trip Report

Trip Overview

With the Federal Government Shut down we had to scramble to do this trip as our original put in and take out as well as our campground were shut down. We ended up staying at Twin Bridges Campground which proved to be a very pleasant surprise as there is new owners and they are trying very hard to improve the campground.

We put in at Twin Bridges Campground and paddled down to the Blair Bridge Access. This was a 15-mile paddle which was required because of the closing of the river access on National Forest land. This section is very scenic with many small to large spring adding to the flow of the river. There were many beautiful bluffs with unique flora growing on them.

There is on difficult rapid that would rank as a class II. It is about two miles up stream from the take out and can be easily run by following the main tongue. It can also be easily portaged on river right.

The campground had a pleasant surprise of smoked meat and the fixing at a reasonable price. They also offered cooked to order breakfast each morning and free coffee.

On Sunday we put in at Hebron Access and paddled to Twin Bridges. This is a 6-mile paddle which was very different from the previous day paddle. The river up here has much less flow and is more narrow making for a more technical paddle avoiding the strainers.

Accommodations:

Twin Bridges provided a full campground with a store. They provided both breakfast and lunch for a small fee.

Outfitting:

We had 6 paddlers all in kayaks. Two Yukon Expeditions, 2 Jackson Journeys, One Dagger Crossover, one Dagger Animus

Fees:

There is a launching fee from Twin Bridges if you are not camping there.

Directions:

From St.Louis:

Take I-44 west to Rolla exit 186. Take Hwy 63 south from Rolla to Cabool. When you near Cabool, Hwy 63 will split. Stay right. Take Hwy 181 south from Cabool to Twin Bridges. Note that Hwy 181 intersects Hwy 76 for a short stretch. Go left (east) on Hwy 76, then right (south) on Hwy 181. Hwy 181 intersects Hwy 14 in front of our store.

Resources:

Missouri Department of Conservation has a new paddlers guide, or you can obtain on-line copy of the map at:

www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/northfork-bryant.html