Kayaking Arlington's River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail In The Unsafe To Swim In Trinity River

Stored somewhere in my abode is an inflatable kayak that I have not inflated in years. I think the last time I inflated my kayak was to go floating in Lake Joe Pool at Cedar Hills State Park.

Since I last inflated my inflatable kayak River Legacy Park, in Arlington, has added something called River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail.

I have seen people launch kayaks in the Trinity River from the River Legacy Parks Paddling Trails kayak launch pad.

The Trinity River flows through River Legacy Park in its natural state, with none of the levees that guide the river through Fort Worth.

There is a lot of information on the River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail information sign.

The Paddling Trail length is 4.2 miles. How is this determined, I could not help but wonder? Float Time is 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on water level, flow rate and wind speed.

A note on the sign notes that "This trail can be paddled as a "loop" trail in which paddlers can launch from the park's access site and paddle upstream as far as desired or flow condition allow. Paddlers can then turn around and travel downstream to complete the loop. If paddling this trail as a loop there will be a set of riffles that will require a portage approximately a mile upstream."

Riffles? Are riffles little rapids?

On the sign, under the heading "Fishing" we learn "The river supports catfish, drum, sunfish and bass among other fish. Fish can be caught with the use of light tackle and a variety of baits. The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a formal advisory regarding the consumption of fish from the river."

Under the heading "Be Safe" we learn "Rivers are ever-changing dynamic systems with inherent dangers. Follow basic safety rules. Never paddle alone. Always have a float plan - tell someone where you are going and when you are expected to return. Check weather forecasts. Carry a map of the stream so you can find your location at any time. Wear a Coast Guard approved Type III-V lifejacket and protective footwear. Carry drinking water, sunscreen, cell phone and insect repellent. Plan your trip so that your paddling skills are equal to the water conditions."

Where does one get a map of the Trinity River that will allow one to find ones location at any time, I can not help but wonder?

Under the heading "River Conditions" those riffles are mentioned again, "This reach of the Trinity River is a natural channel with a few fun riffles to navigate, but flow and water quality are influenced by upstream reservoirs, storm water runoff, and wastewater treatment plants. The water quality is suitable for canoeing, kayaking and incidental contact, but not for swimming. Trips should not be attempted in high and turbulent water conditions."

So, the Trinity River in Arlington is not safe for swimming, with only incidental water contact being okay.

Meanwhile, upstream, in Fort Worth, somehow the Trinity River is safe to float in via an inner tube in J.D. Granger's Trinity River Vision Boondoggle's Rockin' the River Happy Hour Inner Tube Floats.

Very perplexing.

Biking River Legacy Park Thinking Of Kayaking With The Trinity River Alligators

River Legacy Park Trinity River Kayakers

My physical therapist told me I'm not getting enough exercise, so I decided to bike to the end of the River Legacy Park trails this early evening.

Many other people had the same idea. I don't know how many of those biking, walking, skateboarding, roller blading and kayaking were doing so due to advice from their physical therapist.

Just this afternoon I watched a disturbing video of an alligator attacking a guy in a kayak in a lake in Florida. No alligator harm was done, except for panicking the guy into a profanity spewing reversal of his kayak to escape the marauding reptile.

Just a couple days ago, thanks to an email from one of my favorite Southern Belles, Miss Connie, I learned about a couple locations in the south Dallas zone where large alligators are known to reside. From that same email from Miss Connie I also saw a photo of the biggest alligator gar ever caught in the Trinity River.

I have it on my to-do list to blog about that which Miss Connie led me to see, but I've become a really bad procrastinator, of late.

Since I have been biking the River Legacy trails again, on several occasions, I have seen kayakers exiting or entering the Trinity River from the kayak launch pad that was added a couple years ago. I remember when I saw that kayak launch pad built thinking to myself that this is never going to be used.

Shows what an accurate prognosticator I am.

I have a kayak that I have not kayaked in in years. I had a momentary thought, last summer, to kayak among those enjoying feces infested floating in the Trinity River via J.D. Granger's Rockin' the River Happy Hour Inner Tube Floats, but I never was sufficiently motivated to go to the bother.

Maybe I'll take my kayak for a spin in the Trinity River in River Legacy Park. I could add this to my exercise regimen.