Ryker to Hwy. 21 (7.5 miles)

Note: The combination of Steep banks and lots of deadfalls tend to clog the creek with wood from time to time, so keep look out. Ozark Creekin' at its best. Not super steep but lots of class III action with several class IV-V drops mixed in. Some of the highlights include, Shotgun, Door #4, Beech Ball, White Lightning, Beech Falls and numerous others that don't have official names. Typical hazards include, downed wood, undercuts, sieves, pin/piton rocks and stout holes. Spray Paint Gauge on the Highway 21 Bridge Pillars on River Right. Look for 4' and steady or rising, or 5' and falling for a good run. AW Online gauge References Boxley, which is the closest proxy. Put in: Hike in from Cave Mtn. Rd. near Ryker just past the Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) trail head(actual put-in is on Edgemon Creek . GET PERMISSION FROM LOCAL LANDOWNERS BEFORE TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE LANDS. Aim for the just above the confluence of Evans Hollow. Take out: Hwy 21 bridge just upstream of confluence with Buffalo River. Parking is available at the Cave Mtn Road/Hwy 21 intersection near the Buffalo River 'Boxley' bridge 150 yards south of the Beech Creek bridge . See the description at Ozark Whitewater Page. Put-in requires carrying down a trail. First half of the run is on Edgemon Creek. If water level and time permit, carry up and run the last couple drops on Beech Creek. The run starts in the Ozark National Forest and ends inside the Buffalo National River Park. However most of the run is on private land. See some video of the creek here.