NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1472069
July 2022 • Nebraskaland 21 in advance. Some areas will require four-wheel drive. And always respect private property. Sabrina Negus of Tilden stresses the importance of the buddy system: "A four-person group should be the minimum the fi rst time you try a more advanced stretch. And it's always better if at least one person has done that stretch." In case of an emergency, have a buddy stay with the injured person and a buddy for the person fl oating out to get help. River Condition River kayaking can be done year round, although each season will come with its own set of conditions. In spring, fall and winter, water can be cold, which poses the risk of hypothermia, and in spring, runoff and snowmelt contribute to high and fast water. In kayaking, capsizing is not a matter of if, but when. Even the most experienced kayakers can take a spill. Conversely during the warmer months, July through September, water levels on prairie rivers can get quite low, and during drought conditions, even groundwater-fed streams such as the Niobrara can be aff ected — dragging a boat down a river is nowhere near as fun as fl oating it. So, check USGS water gauges to determine if water levels and water temperature are adequate. Corman and his wife, Jen, use this data to help them determine when to kayak a particular route. Transportation Once you have fi gured out where you will kayak and when, arranging transportation will be the next big piece in the puzzle. At least two vehicles are needed — one to leave down river at your take-out point and another to drop off people and gear at the put-in site. Decide who will do the driving beforehand, because it could be a long day for those who volunteer. Although my group of friends have shuttling people and kayaks down to a science, many of them used an outfi tter before venturing out on their own. If you're a newbie, save yourself the headache and use a guide service. An outfi tter will handle all the logistics of dropping off you and your kayak upriver, and they'll pick you up at the end. Graham Outfi tters out of Valentine services the Niobrara River, and they off er guided fl oats, shuttling and full-service trips where they also take care of the camping and cooking. Rachel Simpson of Lincoln has fl oated with them several times. "If you are a novice, the stretch from Fort Niobrara launch down to Brewers Bridge at Graham's Camp is the perfect place to start and to go with someone more experienced," Simpson said. "Guides can teach you how to paddle and read the river ... That stretch has no chutes or portages, no downed trees and is easy to navigate. I found this stretch of the Niobrara gloriously peaceful. You can look around, relax and take a break from paddling instead of worrying about what might be coming around the bend." There are no guiding options on the Missouri River, but due to the river's accessibility, this is the river to take if you insist on arranging your own transportation. Camping For camping, you have three options. Option A is to pack the kayak with all your tent camping essentials and food, and set up camp at public or private campsites along your route. Option B is to set up a base camp and shuttle back to the same place each night. Option C is to pay a full-service outfi tter to take care of everything. Each option has its pros and cons. Along the wild and scenic stretch of the Niobrara River, Smith Falls State Park is the only public campsite. However, Danielle Shea of New Orleans, left, poses for a photo with her mother, Marilyn Tabor of Raymond.