We had a great day.  We offloaded our boats to the grassy area at Yellow Banks and got everything set up.   Several "passengers" stayed with the boats.  We then took our convoy of 11 cars to the rest rooms at Yellow Banks for a quick break.  The convoy pulled out of Yellow Banks at about 9:50 AM.  We drove through Runnels, then across the river bridge and up Hwy. 5.  It was 22 miles and half an hour when we got to the Runnels Bridge access.  Many expressed amazement that I had ever found this remote place.  It took some looking, I said, but it was worth it.  The convoy parked at the access, checked to see that there was water, and loaded up.

I took 6 with back with me in my Mazda van, and Eric and Jan took 2 more with them.  Craig had a boat trailer, so we knew we could handle any late comers.   The return trip was great fun, and we got a chance to meet everyone.  Once back at Yellow Banks, the launch went quickly and we were all away by 11:15.  There was a good current and plenty of water most of the way.  The gauges at SE 6th and at Runnels read 700 cfs.  The trip was 12 miles, and we were out and loaded up by 5 pm.

We paddled the first 4 miles in an hour, then pulled up on a huge sand bar for lunch.  It was remarkable that the river bank has filled in with vegetation, and everything is very lush.  There is a tire dump 2 miles south of Yellow Banks, but that was the only blemish on the day.  We had blue and green herons (Peggy saw the green heron), geese and ducks, and lots of leaping fish.  It was a perfect day, 75 degrees with a gentle wind.  At the first sand bar stop we asked the kayakers to slow down a bit for the canoes, so the second 4 miles was done at a more leisurely pace.   On the second break, we really began to feel the remoteness and the natural beauty on this run, and we all gathered in a circle to share our enjoyment of this wonderful stretch of the river.

The last 4 miles were done at a very leisurely pace, as no one wanted the trip to end.  I noted that there were many clusters of paddlers chatting and floating.  We did note the very deep water just past the Hartford ramp, and we enjoyed the high bluffs coming into Runnels.  We had all been briefed that if you went under a bridge, you had better turn around, but we all made the necessary stop at the second boat ramp.

We had a good crowd for the after-trip snack at Fiss's Malt shop in Carlisle.  Some of us got to return to Yellow Banks to get back to our vehicles and enjoy a few more minutes of bliss.  I for one really enjoyed this outing, and look forward to more trips with our fine group.  Thanks again to Peggy, John, Mark, Robin, Bob, Cindy, Eric, Jan, Kathy, Kirk, Bill, Leslie, Juan, Greg, and Craig.

Gerry Rowland
Des Moines

When the river is clear, as it was this winter, this is the kind of spectacular view that awaits. 

This was what we planned, and it went just great:

Join us for a 12 mile paddle from Yellow Banks Park to Runnels Bridge Access. There is plenty of water for an enjoyable float, with sandbars in abundance. With breaks, this will be a 5-6 hour trip. 

Date: May 20, 2000
Time: 9:30 am at Yellow Banks  (map)

Directions:

From Des Moines, take E. University Ave. to the State Fair grounds, go south on E 30th past the main entrance to the fair. After about 2 miles, SE 30th becomes Rt. 46, and then Vandalia Rd. In about 2 more miles, Vandalia Rd. passes under the new Hwy. 65 and continues on about 2 miles. Yellow Banks is a  mile south on SE 68th St., with clear signs pointing the way. As you enter the park, follow the boat ramp signs to the right, down the bluffs, to the river.

If you are traveling on I-80, take Hwy. 65 south to the Vandalia Rd. exit, then go east about 2 miles. Hwy. 163 also intersects Hwy. 65 at Pleasant Hill. Take Hwy. 65 south to Vandalia Rd.

Attractions:

We launch at the yellow banks, tree lined loess bluffs that are best viewed from the river. About 2 miles into the trip, we enter a series of 6 mile long switch backs, with views of the hills in the distance. There will be herons, ducks, geese and leaping fish throughout the trip. This is one of the most remote stretches of the river, one that I’ve done several times a year for the past 4 years. It’s easy to feel lost, but you’ll be with an experienced guide who really loves this stretch of the Des Moines.

At about 10 miles, we’ll pass through the narrows, one of the deepest parts of the river. We’ll go past the Hartford boat ramp, then past the high bluffs that lead to the Runnels Bridge access.

Take Out Point:

The Runnels Bridge access is south and east of Hartford off Hwy. 5. The best landmark is the Webb Campground sign at Delaware Rd. and Hwy. 5. Coming south from Des Moines, take Hwy. 65 to the Carlisle exit, then Hwy. 5 to Hartford.  Delaware Rd. is the 3rd left after you pass the Git and Go in Hartford.  Follow the gravel road about 3 miles (don't turn right on Delaware), past the KIOA transmitter station. At the campground sign, follow the dead-end road (Carpenter Rd.) down to the river.

The Plan:

We’ll meet at Yellow Banks, drop off boats and gear, and leave a few people to watch over them. We’ll take our cars to Runnels via F70 (Vandalia Rd.) to 316, south through Runnels, then north 3 miles on Hwy. 5 to the Webb Campground turnoff. We’ll leave the downstream vehicles. Those of us with multi-purpose vehicles will shuttle the rest back to the launch point.   We'll return by the same route, but Vandalia Rd. north of Runnels is called SE 56th.  Take a left and go 6 miles to get back to Yellow Banks.  (follow the Dragoon Trail signs)

Those with multiple vehicles are encouraged to bring them along to assist. We should be launched by 10:30 am., and be out of the water by 5 pm.

Gerry Rowland
Des Moines
515.277.3092