Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Local scouts learn of adventure awaiting on float trip

Area Boy Scouts are getting ready to have some fun March 24-26, as they will be floating the Buffalo River.

Dr. Lester Sitzes III, DDS, presented a PowerPoint program Thursday, March 2, showing photos from past float trips on the Buffalo. Sitzes is with Hope Troop 95, and has been making this trip more than 20 years with scouts.

In the beginning, he said, the trip started with older scouts as high adventure for them. However, the younger scouts clamored to go and were allowed to. It has become one of the most popular events for scouts in the area.

The scouts will leave early Friday, March 24, trying to make it to Russellville before noon. There they will stop for lunch, then head on to Jasper, where they will stop and take a break, giving everyone a chance to do some sightseeing and stretch their legs. From there, its on to Camp Orr where the fun begins.

Camp Orr, he said, is in a national park. When the federal government proclaimed it a national park, it allowed the scouts to keep their campsite area. According to Sitzes, this is a private spot and there will be no rowdy people or drinking going on where the scouts are. He told the group gathered at First United Methodist Church there will be plenty to keep the scouts and adults busy.

The scouts will have the opportunity to see deer in the wild, along with the possibility of seeing wild mountain goat and elk. The goats, he said, are on a bluff across the river and come out in the evening. The deer also tend to come out during the evening hours, but are in an open meadow near the camp.

If we get there in time Friday, Sitzes said, well go to Lost Valley. There is a hiking trail going up a creek with a scenic cave at the top. Inside the cave are bats, a waterfall and pool. Well try to do this the first day if the weathers good. Last year this part of the trip had to be abandoned because of rain.

The campers will visit Buffalo Outfitters, where they can pick up any gear they need, or buy souvenirs of the trip. This is also where the canoes will be rented, Sitzes said. The troop will put in there and float 12 miles. Day one, he told the group, is the most scenic.

Sitzes pointed out the scouts dont have to make the float trip if they dont want to, or they can float just one day if they so choose. There will be plenty to keep them busy, he said.

But, he added, the first day of the float trip the scouts will stop at Hinder Hollow, a gravel bar on the river. They will hike six-tenths of a mile to the hollow where they will see a 200 foot waterfall. Its the tallest one east of the Rockies, Sitzes said. This is where the scouts will break for lunch. Following lunch, the scouts will float back to camp.

He recommended the scouts and adults accompanying them dress appropriately for the float. Because the water will be cold, he suggested they not wear jeans, but pick up a wetsuit. This will keep you dry and keep your body heat in, he said. Those making the float trip are also encouraged to bring along plastic buckets with lids to put their supplies and gear in. Garbage bags dont work well.

Following breakfast and a devotional Sunday, the scouts will hit the river for another 12 mile float trip. Well get off the river earlier, he said, and try to explore some caves.

However, the scouts dont have to go spelunking. Some, he said, have opted to go trout fishing instead, or just hang around. One thing he pointed out, everyone in a canoe must wear a life vest. Anyone not wanting to wear a life jacket will not be allowed to go on the water. This is a law.

Because of the drought, there could be problems with the depth of the river in places. Sitzes is keeping track of the waters depth to make sure there wont be any major headaches.

This is a safe trip, he said. No one has ever been hurt. We want everyone going to have fun.

When questioned about what kind of footwear the scouts should take, Sitzes said aqua socks work, but are hard to hike in. Those using aqua sock should take a pair of hiking shoes and extra socks with them to hike to the caves, Lost Valley and Cob Cave, which, he said, is a nice place to camp.

Cob Cave got its name from the early white settlers in Arkansas. They called it Cob Cave because this is where Native Americans stored their corn. When the settlers got there, Sitzes said, all they found was a lot of corn cobs, hence the name.

He also suggested those going take a waterproof disposable camera along to record the memories of the trip.