The distance is about 21+ downstream river miles, which can be a bit challenging for some folks... so be mindful of your fitness. At a cruising speed of 3 mph (which is vigorous exercising) this trip can be a 7 hours paddling day, but likely longer with sandy beach breaks. Likely, the current will give us a push forward.
For the trip to be going, minimum 4 HASK members must sign up. Last day to sign up is Tuesday March 5, 2024 at 5pm. I know it's a week day and people go to work, but I can't do weekend because of work commitments. I too have to take a day off work to be able to do this trip. Know your priorities!
It's a Thursday morning: Houston rush hour is expected, so please plan accordingly. Load up your kayak and sort out your gear the day before.
Let's meet at 8AM in the parking lot at Hogg Bird Sanctuary. There is plenty of parking available. We will leave our cars parked here for the day. This is our take-out. We will use Constantin's business custom-made trailer and van that can transport 15 sea kayaks and 15 passengers all at once. We will use these for our group shuttle. Unload your kayak and load it on the group trailer. Take with you whatever gear, food and drinks you need for the day and load up in the van.
We all will be driving in the van and go to put-in at Highway 6. The approach to water at Highway 6 is a somewhat steep concrete slope, but manageable. Once on the water, we will paddle downstream for some 21+ miles.
This trip is an excellent opportunity to get a very different look at your city: from the steep banks in the upstream part of Buffalo Bayou, to the forests of the Memorial Villages, Memorial Park, and the Houston Arboretum to the backyards of the River Oaks Rich and Famous. And a lot of it is relatively clean and pretty, and populated by egrets and herons. Marks of the 2017 Hurricane Harvey flooding can still be seen.
This is going to be a long day, perhaps 7+ hours of paddling, depending on current flow and how long our breaks, so please bring plenty of food and water. We would like to be off water no later than 6pm. I believe the parking lot gate at Hogg Bird Sanctuary closes at sunset. Someone will have to give me and my kayak a ride back to Highway 6 to my van.
In case of emergency, there are several options near bridges to exit the river sooner, but none of those options are really pretty because will involve calling a friend or a taxi and leaving gear unattended.
Some segment distances to consider:
Highway 6 to D. Ashford = 3.3 miles
D. Ashford to Beltway 8 = 3.4 miles
Beltway 8 to Briar Park = 5.1 miles
Briar Park to Woodway = 6.3 miles
Woodway to Hogg Bird Sanctuary = 4.1 miles
I have paddled this segment multiple times and it's fun. It's a good workout. Other than the long distance and occasional challenges around bridges (sweeps, debris, etc.), it's pretty double by most everyone.
If the bayou is too high and fast, we'll reconsider the trip. In slack water, it's easy but long. There is usually a little current. In moderate current, it's not so long but does require some steering and boat control in tight meanders. Strainers can be a problem although the banks and the bayou was recently clean of fallen trees (as recent as December 2023).
The trip is suitable for many different kind of crafts, but you will need stamina and pace to cover the mileage. My recommendation for you is to be paddling in a 16+ ft. long sit-in touring kayak, preferably made of polyethylene, so you won’t cry too much if it gets scratched. Please don't bring boats 14 feet long or shorter!
The last half segment of our trip coincides with the first half of the Buffalo Bayou Regatta itinerary. However, our trip distance is longer than that of the Buffalo Bayou Regatta. This is an excellent training opportunity and will give you an accurate view of the bayou in preparation for the Buffalo Bayou Regatta scheduled for Saturday March 23, 2024.
The take-out is a bit challenging: it consists of a steep but short hike up the bank, that's usually muddy and slippery. The space to stage kayaks at the takeout is limited to maybe 2-3 boats at a time, and there can be a little bit of sweeping current, but with good planning and communication, is manageable and we will help each other out to carry the boats up the slope.
Hazards includes falling and slippery surfaces at the put-in and/or take-out trail (wear good footwear!), logs in the water/strainers, concrete and rebar debris around bridges, and other debris in the water, fire ants, and urban animals. We will likely have some current.
Strainers are deadly serious - don't paddle into obstacles or in low hanging branches above the water. Also, this is city water (think runoff) so get all your vaccinations up to date and seal any unnecessary orifices.
If you have any questions or concerns - please contact Constantin ahead of time.
Half way down the put-in trail...
Typical scene on Buffalo Bayou in Houston, TX...
| Trip Leader |
Constantin Platon
|
| Trip Assistants |
TBD |
| Trip Rating* |
2 |
Meet at
|
8:00 a.m.
|
| Duration (hours) |
8+ hours |
| Paddling Miles |
21+ river miles |
| Emergency Initiator |
Mirela Maxim |
| Emergency Phone #s |
205 218 1589 |
| Latest Expected Return |
6 p.m.
|
| Auto Description/Lic # |
Ford Van with kayak trailer |
| Distance from downtown Houston |
10 |
* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather.
This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver.
Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully. You give up substantial rights when you sign it.
- Add Smartwaiver with email address “noreply@smartwaiver.com” to your address book to ensure emails do not go to junk/spam.
- Select a link below to complete the online waiver.
ACA-HASK Adult Waiver ACA-HASK Minor Waiver
- Respond to the “Confirm your E-Signature” email from ACA / HASK to confirm your email address. Wavier is now complete and valid.
- You will receive a confirmation email. Please download and print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the trip put-in.
Guests – You are welcome to join us for a couple of paddle trips. HASK will cover the $10 ACA event membership for non-ACA members. Hopefully you will then join HASK and continue paddling with us.