The annual Safety Clinic was split into a kayak section and a canoe section and was held the weekend of June 5-6 on the Elkhorn. Read More to see details.

I've wanted to paddle the Upper Rockcastle River for years, and as it's hadn't appeared on the Elkhorn Paddlers schedule I decided to give it a try. There were a few stressful hours on Friday afternoon trying to arrange an alternate vehicle to pull my kayak trailer after my Jeep malfunctioned. (It has a history of doing this the day before it's supposed to haul a lot of people somewhere.) After multiple hooking and unhooking the trailer to different vehicles as we progressed to the meeting spot in Lexington, six of us headed for the put-in under the
I-75 bridge, where I had arranged with Rockcastle Adventures to drive our two vehicles to the end for us shortly after we put in. The first third of the river was very nice, a gentle current and small riffles.
We saw some debris piles so high in the trees from the recent flooding it was almost unbelievable. A scenic rocky overhang appeared just in time for our lunch stop and here we spotted a very interesting nymph-like black and yellow insect in the water that I'm still trying to identify. The middle third of the trip was barely any current with mud banks, which was just getting a little boring when things picked back up. Three people went for a quick dip to cool off at one stop on a gravel bar. They didn't stay in very long though. It cooled me down just watching them.
The last part was really pretty with gravel bars, riffles, rocks and a big log some chose to limbo under. The water was quite clear so we could see the bottom whenever it was a couple feet deep or so. It started to rain a half hour after we loaded up, and some of us stopped for supper at Cracker Barrel on the way home. Another great day on the river. Thanks to those who stepped in to haul the trailer.
Nancy Moore

Three brave souls went to Grayson last weekend hoping we could get a few paddles in before it rained. Friday was gusting wind so bad we hiked first, then paddled to the secret waterfall later when the wind died.
Saturday we paddled a closed off part of the lake motorboats can't get to, and had it all to ourselves, with a great waterfall lunch stop, followed by hiking up the creek at the end of the bay. It started to rain lightly just as we got done paddling. Perfect timing.
Sunday we hiked 4 miles in a light off and on rain, then headed home just as the downpours began. Lots of waterfalls along the freeway pouring off the rock faces.
I have to confess, I took our small RV, so Chick and I were high and dry during Saturday night's rain. Bob Walters stayed dry in his tent too.
Grayson Lake is so beautiful it's worth risking getting wet.
Nancy Moore

The Switzer - N. Fork paddle went off as planned on April 10, 2010. Select READ MORE to view the entire (short) report.

Here is the 2010 schedule of cruises led by our members. Be sure to contact the trip leader for additional information and to get your name on the participant list.

Also, sign up to the Elkhorn Paddlers listserv http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElkhornPaddlers/
to receive emails of scheduled trips as well as notifications of "last-minute", member-led trips.

click on "read more" to view full schdule.

Here are minutes from the Spring meeting. It does not include the cruise planning - those will be posted separate and soon.

Her are meeting minutes from the November General Meeting at Shakertown - Yum!

Hiwassee in Summer -- cool, reliable water, a bit of a haul to get to, but...

A record turnout, a near perfect day and water conditions and the 2009 Safety & Paddling clinic kicks off summer.