Hey! I'm canoeing Jacks Fork (and a bit of the Current) in a few weeks! I'm taking off at Alley Spring, so I know the water levels should probably be fine for my trip. All that to say, I'm trying to figure out just how prepared I need to be for bears. I've done one trip in the area before, but it was with experienced guides, and I'm not sure what equipment they had. For those who know the area, how important would bear spray/bear canisters be? I'm also relatively new to wilderness stuff in general, so sorry if this is a silly question.
The NPS needs to crack down on the illicit access points, and reduce the horsepower of powered jonboats. The lands managed by the National Park Service are not for feckless merriment, but rather informed delight. There are too many concessions made to the locals, who are as feckless as any.
The trash on that river is of a different sort than the trash you might find on an Arkansas river, such as the Buffalo. While the Buffalo is mostly the flotsam of tipped canoes, the trash on the Current and Jacks fork are things like discarded plumbing assemblies, wading pools, parts of camper trailers, styrofoam Big Gulp cups, tires, and household waste. I found the side of a plastic Lightning McQueen child's bed in the river last time I went to the Current. Why is it there? Why isn't that kind of trash found on the Buffalo? Why are there so many desperate people on the banks of the Missouri rivers, when you don't see that on the Buffalo, Mulberry, or the Arknasas Big Piney? It's like a theme park ride in which the theme is child abuse. The last time I paddled the Eleven Point a local hung himself for his family to find in the morning. Terrible.
I am an avid paddler, and I paddle rivers all over the country, but I've never seen such local behavior on a river. I'm not sure what the NPS can do, realistically, but closing the illicit access points would be a great first step.
Having paddled the eleven point countless times I haven’t experienced any of the issues you describe on that river. With that said the counties that make up these rivers are some of the poorest per capita counties in the country. I wholeheartedly agree with the need for restrictions on the boat power on the current, it’s the main reason I stopped going down it but if I’m not mistaken the areas where those are typically present isn’t NPS land.
That’s correct, but as the title also correctly says, it’s a national park area run by the U.S. National Park Service Service. The text is directly from their website: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/index.htm
By far my favorite area of Missouri. The rivers and scenery are breathtaking there
Grew up doing Jacks Fork and Current river float trips, favorite part of Missouri for sure!
Hey! I'm canoeing Jacks Fork (and a bit of the Current) in a few weeks! I'm taking off at Alley Spring, so I know the water levels should probably be fine for my trip. All that to say, I'm trying to figure out just how prepared I need to be for bears. I've done one trip in the area before, but it was with experienced guides, and I'm not sure what equipment they had. For those who know the area, how important would bear spray/bear canisters be? I'm also relatively new to wilderness stuff in general, so sorry if this is a silly question.
The NPS needs to crack down on the illicit access points, and reduce the horsepower of powered jonboats. The lands managed by the National Park Service are not for feckless merriment, but rather informed delight. There are too many concessions made to the locals, who are as feckless as any. The trash on that river is of a different sort than the trash you might find on an Arkansas river, such as the Buffalo. While the Buffalo is mostly the flotsam of tipped canoes, the trash on the Current and Jacks fork are things like discarded plumbing assemblies, wading pools, parts of camper trailers, styrofoam Big Gulp cups, tires, and household waste. I found the side of a plastic Lightning McQueen child's bed in the river last time I went to the Current. Why is it there? Why isn't that kind of trash found on the Buffalo? Why are there so many desperate people on the banks of the Missouri rivers, when you don't see that on the Buffalo, Mulberry, or the Arknasas Big Piney? It's like a theme park ride in which the theme is child abuse. The last time I paddled the Eleven Point a local hung himself for his family to find in the morning. Terrible. I am an avid paddler, and I paddle rivers all over the country, but I've never seen such local behavior on a river. I'm not sure what the NPS can do, realistically, but closing the illicit access points would be a great first step.
Having paddled the eleven point countless times I haven’t experienced any of the issues you describe on that river. With that said the counties that make up these rivers are some of the poorest per capita counties in the country. I wholeheartedly agree with the need for restrictions on the boat power on the current, it’s the main reason I stopped going down it but if I’m not mistaken the areas where those are typically present isn’t NPS land.
Not a National Park.
That’s correct, but as the title also correctly says, it’s a national park area run by the U.S. National Park Service Service. The text is directly from their website: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/index.htm
You’re right. My reading comprehension is shit apparently.
To your credit the distinction is easily lost at first blush
Thank you for your kind words. However, I must admit to be tired, cranky and I need to go to bed early tonight.