Neches River, CR 1155 CR 2829 Launch, up
Kayak paddle route trail map on the Neches River starting at the CR 1155, CR 2829 put-in. This is kind of an out of the way launch in the Davy Crockett National Forest. It’s actually the put-in for the TPWD Crockett trail which goes downstream to Highway 7. But the route here goes upstream about 10 miles to an ‘I’m done’ turnaround point and returns to the launch. Took approximately three hours up and two hours back, more or less, with the Neches at Hwy 294 gage reading 320 cfs and the Neches at Hwy 7 gage reading 460 cfs. A bit of current so easier coming back. The route reaches the Big Slough Wilderness Area (which I didn’t realize at the time and so didn’t pay any attention to the point where Big Slough connects with the Neches). The forest adjacent to the river along this route tended to be deciduous/hardwoods, less densely packed, even some cleared fields, with fewer sections closed in by tall east Texas pines. The river is the eastern boundary of the Davy Crockett National Forest, although some of this may be private inholdings–there were a few houses along the river and one or two private launches. Upstream of the put-in the river is fairly wide and no portages were necessary, but towards the turnaround point in the area where the river is oriented north-south the geography changes. This is the Big Slough Wilderness and you can see by google maps that its more forested and that the river is narrower and wanders a bit. Overall nice winter paddle, bright day.
Above: The launch at the CR 1155 CR 2829 bridge, a muddy cut down to the water.
Above: And here is the bridge itself, with wood planks, very nice.
Above: Beautiful day for a paddle.
Above: Boundary sign for Davy Crockett National Forest.
Above: Some stretches were open, cleared areas rather than forest.
Above: Forests and reflections along the Neches River.