KAYAKING ON THE RIVER, Route 66 Park to Valley Park

This is our long one, 13 miles.

Not really hard, but a couple of fun spots. We usually pick up some current here, until we hit Castlewood. Then, the last 3 miles is dead water with no current.

You need some paddling muscles for this, it should not be your first float. It's a long one and there are stretches where you have to paddle. You'll be tired when we finish.

We will pass a bunch of our favorite hiking trails. Glencoe (the fun little rapids that we always see from our Al Foster hike), Al Foster Trail, and then lunch at Sherman Beach. Then on past the lower Chubb Trail, and Castlewood. We always attract a lot of attention from all of the hikers. A very fun paddle.

You need an upgraded kayak. No Intex greenies and no foldables.

Fine for dogs, nothing dangerous here.
Lots of beaches until the last 3 miles.

Bring lots of water, lunch for you and your dog, sturdy water shoes, and whatever else you bring to the beach. Make sure you have ALL of your gear (paddle, skeg, PFDs). If you forget something, you get to go back home.

COMMENT BELOW, IF YOU HAVE A HARDSHELL OR INFLATABLE, IF YOU'RE BRINGING A DOG AND SIZE OF DOG.

You all need to carry Tear Aid type B (patches) on these floats....just in case. Available on Amazon for about $12. We've never needed it, but everyone should always have these aboard. I carry a pump, but you're expected to have your own patches.

You know the program. DOGS AND HUMANS must wear PFD at all times when on the water. It's a long day, bring water and snacks.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

I've shown Route 66 State Park as the location. Be there at 9:00 and be unloaded and ready to shuttle by 9:30. If you're late, you'll miss the shuttle. It's a pretty easy shuttle.

TO GET TO ROUTE 66 BOAT LAUNCH PARKING LOT (from 270/141) :

Take Hwy 44 to Hwy 109 and exit highway. Turn left at stoplight onto 109 and go back under the highway. Then left again BACK ONTO 44 heading back east towards 270. Take the first exit, WILLIAMS ROAD, and go about 1000' to left on South Outer Road. (There is a sign for Route 66 Park here) Follow Outer Roadf about 1 mile to stopsign. Turn right at stopsign to boat ramp parking lot. Do not go back under the highway.

We will meet at Eureka/Route 66 boat launch ramp, the put in point, about 9:00. Offload your kayak and gear. A couple of us will stay there to guard our stuff and inflate the kayaks. Almost everyone will jump in their cars by 9:30 and drive back to Valley Park ramp by Simpson Lake. Drop as many cars as possible and squeeze into a couple of cars and head back to put-in.

It will just be people and dogs, your stuff will be in Eureka.

DO NOT BE LATE, or you're screwed. If you miss the shuttle or forget your paddle/skeg/PFD/gear, you'll have to just go back home. Shuttling is an art on these river floats. Always a little hectic until we hit the water.

Here is the link for Valley Park ramp, in case you need it:
[Meramec Landing (Valley Park) | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)](https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/meramec-landing-valley-park)

A couple of people will have to take the shuttle drivers back to their cars when we finish. Most of you will have your cars at take out and can go home.