I am planning an excursion to run the Middle and Lower Licking river from Morehead to Cincinnati/Newport. While I am preparing and expecting to do so alone, I’d be happy to have some company!
Starting point will be the boat ramp at Cave Run Dam spillway. Endpoint is Schmidt Boat Ramp, located river right approximately 1 mile upstream on the Ohio from Licking River confluence. Travel time will be approximately 5-6 days with a planned stopover at Blue Licks and resupply at Falmouth. Other possible portages are being researched. The Licking River is a class I difficulty river, with occasional swift current and strainers but little to no white water. Of greater concern will be portage and supplies as most of the river flows through private farms.
If interested, please leave a comment on this post and the your best possible times. Plan is for September, but can be pushed as far as mid October if needed. Cincinnati ramps close on November 1. Further details will be added here as they become available.
I am very interested, and have a book that might help, “Canoeing and Kayaking in Kentucky” has been almost as helpful as Google Earth. I would like details on what ya have in mind.
To give ourselves plenty of time, I would suggest leaving on a Sunday or late Saturday, and planning to be gone until the following Sunday. That should give us plenty of leeway.
I’m thinking we’ll need to make about 30 miles a day. That’s 8 hours of paddling a day at 4mph average water speed and normal stops for food, leg stretching and so on. The Licking will be running at about 1mph, so that will net us another few miles each day.
One or two nights we’ll paddle late just for the fun of it and to cut some more time.
We’ll spend a night (or day depending on arrival) at Blue Licks to shower up and get a good meal before moving on.
The reason I chose Schmidt for take out is for vehicle parking; this is the only ramp I know in the area that allows extended parking.
The biggest problem is portage. Obviously we are going to have to camp at some point, and its all private land. I haven’t talked to anyone yet to get permission.
Along with camping gear we’re also going to have to carry a hefty load of food and water, at least for the first half. That shouldn’t be a big thing though; there isn’t any white water, so loading down our yaks won’t really matter.
DC
I strongly suggest we do a test run to see how feasible it is to do 30 miles in 8 hours with weighted kayaks. That doesn’t take in consideration we had a very large, very recent flood that caused many log jams. Also, as of yesterday the Licking past the US60 bridge has a large sewer leak and they are warning people of any contact with the water.
I’m planning on doing a 27.5 mile run on the Little Sandy from Sandy Hook to Grayson Lake Saturday. I’ll pack some extra gear and see how long it takes me loaded down.
The sewage is another issue. I have no interest in paddling through waste. Maybe best to hold off until next spring and give the Licking a chance to wash out all the mess. Logjams included.
DC
Keep me posted…
Unless something really profound happens like a huge wash out flood, at this point I’m thinking hold off until spring. Sewage just isn’t cool.
BTW, there is a roll class at the Shillito Park here on Wednesday. I’ll get you the link if you’re interested.
SOrry, a lot has been going on recently and I’ve been a little overwhelmed.
Shillito Park? I used to live in those apartments. I need to get a skirt for my yak. I can’t seem to find a decent priced one for a large cockpit like the Pungo has.
You might want to try Phillip Galls. my cockpit is a large, and they had sizes bigger then that.
They also have a pretty sweet Dagger Hybrid I have my eye on. I’m keeping my Z for whitewater, but I could use something better for flat paddling and with more room. The Z is supposed to be good for larger paddlers, but cramps me up pretty bad.