Dispatches from the Staff
3:51 pm | Tuesday, Jul 18th 2006
Birthday on the Black River
Posted By Shannon
Our family had planned some huge reunions so we threw in our gear thinking there may be an opportunity to venture out while the grandparents were busy pinching our kid's cheeks. We were correct. We had the opportunity to float the east fork of the Black River, camp, and do a day of Mountain biking in the Mark Twain National Forest.
We used the rental "Black River Rats" in Lesterville, MO for our boats and PFD's. Rentals in Southern MO can be hit or miss. I would call this a miss. The rental establishment made you drive down to the take out point then they gathered all the drivers in the bed of his pick-up and sped back to those of us waiting to be shuttled to the river. This was a long process. With kids and extended family waiting it seemed like an eternity.
We rented a couple canoes and two styles of kayaks. The river was very crowded due to the Fourth of July weekend but everyone was smiling and friendly. The river was very low but clear with a slow moving current. I would say we spent almost as much time dragging our canoes as we spent floating in them. Kayaks were a much better choice and due to the single passenger occupancy. They sailed over many places while the canoes were portaged. Those considering rafts would want to make sure water levels were high.
We had a great time despite the low water levels and enjoyed a 3-4 mile float with many opportunities to play on gravel bars. This is a good trip if you happen to be in the area and want a river that is good for young kids.
After a day of floating I received the best birthday gift ever. A night camping with just my honey and the opportunity to mountain bike some beautiful terrain in the Mark Twain National Forest. Because we were in the area, we opted to camp in a nearby camp area that has ATV and mountain biking trails with access to the Ozark Trail. From the town of Centerville we drove into Sutton Bluff Camp Ground, on about 9 miles of forest road. The campground is nestled nicely among gorgeous bluffs and has a river access trail minutes from your campsite. Camping is primitive, mainly for RV's and tents with no facilities except flush toilets. We slept well after adapting to the annoying hum of the neighbors generator.
Up until this point our only reference was "Show Me Mountain Biking The complete Mountain Bikers Guide to Missouri" by Brett Dufur. Dufur's guide has been helpful for many trips we have taken around Missouri. We have always found the descriptions pretty accurate and the book seems to highlight the most well known mountain biking sites in Missouri. I felt like the book really missed the opportunity to stress using the access to the Ozark Trail from this campground. Unless you are into dirt jumping and some fast, fun, fairly technical riding the ATV trails may leave some wanting a different experience. The guide does have another section called the OT Karkaghne Section but we were not familiar with the area did not know to look in the OT section for trail descriptions. It would have been greatly beneficial had Dufur cross-referenced these sections.
The ATV trails were prime for dirt jumpers and those wanting some fast and fun downhills. I got bucked off my bike right away and waited for Chad to finish so we could hit the Ozark Trail. Once on the OT we experienced rough climbs with, loose gravel and down trees about every half-mile. The first 4 miles were simply not fun! Then, the trail changed. The trail had obviously been well groomed and had beautiful, smooth drops and climbs. Anyone looking at camping at this site should defiantly start riding about four miles up the road at one of the many trail crossings along the road.
In the end, I was beat. I had spent all my energy crashing on the ATV trails and climbing hairy OT. But everything always looks better after a dip in the river and some Pizza in the tummy. We went home glad to have had the opportunity for some spontaneous fun. Next time, however, we will take an additional guide and try to plan a bit more ... no too much though!