Sulphur River below Wright Patman, Hwy 59 Spillway Launch
Kayak paddle trail route map starting on the Sulphur RIver just below Wright Patman Lake. The launch is the Spillway Ramp off of Highway 59. This trip may fit better in the Sulphur River of Arkansas section, but since it’s technically in Texas I put it here. Of the several sections of the Sulphur River below Wright Patman, including those in the Sulphur River WMA in Arkansas, this was maybe the prettiest; the water is not as brown as in the lower sections and while the levels were low the feel was scenic and green throughout. The route goes downstream first, which is generally a lousy idea, but the current was mild and so the return leg going back upstream wasn’t too bad. Still its easy to accidentally go farther down than you expect so I set a time limit for the outgoing leg. There were a few portages where trees had fallen but mostly the obstacles were of the ‘squeeze through’ variety. Terrific scenery, saw pigs, deer, alligators, some big gar.
Above: View from the spillway ramp, looking up towards the Wright Patman dam.
Above: Not big but it was slow going back to the water and there was time for a snapshot.
Above: A few places required going through the sticks.
Above: I came around a corner to find a (possible) drama unfolding. Look closely. (expanded in the picture below)
Above: Photo blown up…an alligator and, just to the upper left, a pig. Interesting. The explanation for this scene is ___________.
Above: One of the short portages around some trees.
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