Amistad National Recreation Area

[naturlvr]

On our way to BB we are thinking about stopping and doing some paddling around the Amistad
area. We have kayaks and have heard there some good boomerang floats in the area? Anyone done any paddling in the area?

[presidio]

On our way to BB we are thinking about stopping and doing some paddling around the Amistad
area. We have kayaks and have heard there some good boomerang floats in the area? Anyone done any paddling in the area?

Can't answer your question....but, what is a 'boomerang' float? (what does it look like....how does it work?)

[naturlvr]

A boomerang float is one where you paddle upriver and float back.

[RichardM]

A boomerang float is one where you paddle upriver and float back.

So what do you call it when you float downriver and paddle back?

[presidio]

A boomerang float is one where you paddle upriver and float back.

Oh, I was imagining there was some special hydrodynamic at work...other than just the normal current....like playing in the hydraulics at the base of a fall.

[presidio]

A boomerang float is one where you paddle upriver and float back.

So what do you call it when you float downriver and paddle back?

 

[Joe]

I've heard the outfitters and river guides in Terlingua describe the trips that begin at the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon, go up to Fern Canyon and return to the mouth as boomerang trips.

At Amistad, a good kayak trip would be to put in at the Pecos River and either paddle up the Pecos or down to the Rio Grande. If you paddle down to the Rio Grande, you can go downstream to Parida Cave and Panther Cave (Panther Cave is about a 20-mile round trip) and see some world-class rock art.  I don't know what the current's like in the Rio Grande right now; the river's gone down but it's still running higher than normal.

The put-in for the Pecos is about 50 miles west of Del Rio, just before you cross the Pecos River high bridge. Look for a closed convenience store on the south side of Hwy 90. Immediately to the west of the store, a road goes down to the parking area and the put-in (don't confuse this road with the one that goes to the picnic area overlooking the canyon).

[Undertaker]

Joe, speaking of Amistad, is the water level back high again.

[Casa Grande]

Lake Amistad is awesome!  I had a great opportunity last year with Jim to see several areas of the great Lake with the Park's Archeologist.  I recommend going into Deadman's Canyon and camp.  Just be sure to get a permit from the HQ just on the other side of the bridge on the Del Rio side.  Have fun!

Here are some interactive panos of said caves I did for the Park on that trip.

[Joe]

Joe, speaking of Amistad, is the water level back high again?

Amistad's about a foot above its conservation pool level of 1117 feet. About 1167 cfs (cubic feet/second) is being released from the dam now.

About three weeks ago I was at the Pecos River for the Rock Art Foundtion's annual Rendezvous, and I drove to Langtry to see if I could see the Rio Grande in flood. It had already gone down enough that I couldn't see the river itself, but I could see standing water and mud just below me.  It was very impressive at the mouth of the Pecos, though. The Rio Grande was a muddy, chocolate brown, and really contrasted with the green hue of the Pecos. I used to see that where the Little Colorado emptied into the main Colorado in the Grand Canyon, but I've never seen that at the Pecos before.

[Joe]

Here are some interactive panos of said caves I did for the Park on that trip.

Great panos! I saw your name on Amistad's website, listed as a volunteer who created the panos. You're becoming quite well-known...

[oldfatman]

I have paddled my yak from Black Brush Point and loved it.  No boomerang paddling, just flat water with lots happening all around you for as many miles as you wish to go.  There are launch spots all over the place.  The wind can get fierce quickly.  See my blog during May of 08 for some pictures of some paddling done.

[naturlvr]

Wow, thanks for all the information and the pictures. I  really appreciate it! Any thoughts on where we should park the camper?

[oldfatman]

There are several full service campgrounds.  My choice is Holiday, or American. Check www.rvparkreviews.com for more information on the rv parks.  Around the lake is a lot of NPS parks, some very small, for really cheap with no services at all.  In Del rio is a very complete Walmart for supplies.  It is the last competitive priced store until you come back from BIBE.  What size and type camper is it?? Check out the NPS online map for good orientation.  Rough canyon marina is not a very good place for camping in my opinion. The Pecos river access point does not allow camping there.

[Joe]

There's also hiking and camping at Seminole Canyon State Park, a few miles east of the Pecos River:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/seminole_canyon/