Upper Calcasieu River
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 17.28 nm
- Elevation gain
- 0 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Very difficult
- Elevation loss
- 23 ft
- Max elevation
- 251 ft
- TrailRank
-
32
4.3
- Min elevation
- 251 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Moving time
- 5 hours 52 minutes
- Time
- 8 hours 2 minutes
- Coordinates
- 5400
- Uploaded
- May 1, 2020
- Recorded
- May 2020
near Hicks Crossing, Louisiana (United States)
Viewed 337 times, downloaded 1 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Calcasieu River from Hwy 28/Alexandria Hwy to Hwy 121
This paddle can only be done at high water levels. With the passing of a front and heavy rainfall, perfect conditions allowed us to try it. In paddling this backwoods waterway with high water, we dealt with swift water and encountered countless tree tops, vines, strainers, multiple downed trees across river and one low bridge. Two muddy portages were necessary to detour around downed trees that stretched across the entire river. We constantly had to pay very close attention to quickly approaching hazards and how the current was affecting the kayak in order to safely navigate the hazard. Many times we had to perform strong, last minute strokes in order to redirect the boats. In addition, it is one of the longer paddles at over 17 nautical miles.
Despite the challenges, this was a fantastic paddle! We couldn't have had any better conditions to attempt this. Shuttling is required, but landings are available and easily accessible.
This paddle can only be done at high water levels. With the passing of a front and heavy rainfall, perfect conditions allowed us to try it. In paddling this backwoods waterway with high water, we dealt with swift water and encountered countless tree tops, vines, strainers, multiple downed trees across river and one low bridge. Two muddy portages were necessary to detour around downed trees that stretched across the entire river. We constantly had to pay very close attention to quickly approaching hazards and how the current was affecting the kayak in order to safely navigate the hazard. Many times we had to perform strong, last minute strokes in order to redirect the boats. In addition, it is one of the longer paddles at over 17 nautical miles.
Despite the challenges, this was a fantastic paddle! We couldn't have had any better conditions to attempt this. Shuttling is required, but landings are available and easily accessible.
Waypoints
Photo
156 ft
Price Road Bridge
Almost had to portage over this bridge, but a forward limbo allowed us to just scoot under.
Comments (2)
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Having recently paddled the river from Hineston to Strother's Crossing at flood stage, and this trip was done at water level 5' above flood stage, I feel the need to update the difficulty level to very difficult.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Very difficult
The watershed for the Calcasieu above La 28 is pretty small, the river rises and falls quickly with heavy rainfall. It must be done in full flood due to many blowdowns and obstructions in the channel. At flood stage there is overland flow outside the channel which allow bypasses. The obvious hazard is current thru timber. The river gauge is way downstream at La 113 and only tells what this section looked like 2 days ago, conditions will have changed! Sections of the river has multiple channels, pay attention to the current. This is a long day but it can be broken into smaller segments at the bridges as mapped. This is a pretty remote area, you must be prepared and self-sufficient. Do your homework.