First Saturday Paddle - October

First Saturday Wolf River Paddle

Rossville, TN to Piperton, TN

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Launch time: 09:00     End Time: 16:00 (approx.)

‍This program is free to Conservancy members.  Non-members will be charged a paddle fee of $25.00, which may be paid upon registering.  To assist with planning, please register early.  Online registration closes at Noon on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

This is a 6.4-mile section of the Wolf River between the Fayette County cities of Rossville and Piperton, Tennessee.  Participants on this trip will be paddling a vast, unchannelized portion of the river.  Individuals will experience a natural uncluttered class one river with meandering curves and bends.  The channel is clearly visible throughout the entire section, and participants rarely become disoriented or venture off course.  The Conservancy has intentionally not placed any of the familiar blue and white canoe trail signs, thereby helping to keep this section as natural as possible.  Downed trees and strainers are present and can be easily avoided by individuals with minimum paddling skills.

Air and water temperatures are cooling and unpredictable.  Be sure to dress layers of quick dry (exercise-like) clothing, allowing you to remove or add articles as needed.  During the event, be sure and protect all parts of your body with either clothing or sunscreen.  Using a broad-rim hat will offer added protection for your head and neck.  Shoes should securely attach to your feet and protect you from hidden river hazards.  Remember, the Wolf loves to consume Crocs, sandals, and flip-flops, as well as it does cameras and other electronic equipment.  Also, bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and a lunch to enjoy on the river.

Our River Guides will share the trip leader’s responsibilities on this paddle.  They are a great bunch of volunteers and will ensure you have both a safe and enjoyable adventure.  If you have questions about the trip, please get in touch with Jim Gafford (info above) or Jeff Sojourner at rjsojourner@gmail.com or call/text at (901) 573-6307.  Both will be happy to discuss the particulars of the trip with you.

To assist with planning, please register early for the event no later than Thursday, June 29, at noon.  If this is your first trip or if you want to learn more about the Wolf River, please read the following documents under the paddling section of our website (www.wolfriver.org/paddling): “River Descriptions,” “Wolf River Access Map,” and “Safety Information.”

For Those Renting Boats:  Mike Dawkins is our recommended outfitter for this trip.  If you need to rent equipment, contact Mike at mikedawk@comcast.net (email) or call/text at (901) 485-2531.  Please get in touch with Mike upon completion of your event registration to discuss equipment rental options and other trip arrangements.

For Those Bringing Boats:  You will meet our Guides at the river access ramp on the east side of Highway 194 and just north of the City of Rossville, TN.  Please arrive around 8:00 AM to unload your gear and participate in the front-end vehicle shuttles.  The last shuttle will leave at 8:30. We will also run a shuttle at the end of the trip as needed.

Parking Disclaimer:  Both the access and take-out parking areas are relatively safe but are unmonitored.  You should be able to leave your vehicle in either of these parking areas.  Please note that the Wolf River Conservancy is not responsible for loss of or damage to private property.

SAFETY and PFD Requirement:  Wolf River Conservancy on-river program participants must wear a US Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while on the river.  Children must wear child-size approved PFDs.  If you are renting a craft, the outfitter will provide you with an approved PFD as part of the rental package.  There are no exceptions to the PFD requirements.  Please note that they must also be appropriately worn and securely fastened at all times.  Please do not use the “belt type” units popular with the SUP community.  These are single-discharge units and cannot easily be reloaded once deployed. 

Although the Wolf River is rated as a class one river (little whitewater), conditions can rapidly change.  It is imperative that boaters realistically evaluate their experience and abilities related to the section being paddled before launching into the water.  Any concerns can be addressed with our river guides.  Any decisions and recommendations will always favor the most cautious and safest solution.

The Conservancy highly recommends registered paddlers read the online “River Section Description,” “Wolf River Access Map,” and “Safety Information” under the “Paddling the Wolf River” tab at www.wolfriver.org.

Google Maps Keyword (Input)            William B Clark State Natural Area

Google Maps Keyword (Take-out)      Boat Access – Piperton, TN