Dear Group,

A few days ago I was texting with a fun, sexy flame and joked that we should go on a mud safari this summer. She said she was all for it.

A day or two later, she asked me when and where.

I realize that folks on this group may have secret spots that they might not be willing to divulge, but I am wondering if anyone can offer either general advice or specific suggestions.

I have in mind one of those delicious riverbanks from Messy Fun and MPV. I believe they can be found in Texas. Can anyone tell me how common those spots are, how private they are, and whether we're going to get arrested, shot at, or swallowed by quicksand? I'm also wondering whether weekdays or weekends are more likely to afford privacy?

Is it feasible to take a couple days driving around and exploring (with requisite equipment, of course), or is that going to be a fool's errand?

Any advice or direction to past threads would be appreciated.

Thank you.

-JS

No idea, but I want to know as well!

I make no pretense as to authority or comprehensiveness here - just an anecdote that's at least mildly on topic. Back in the day (early-mid 90s) when I crewed for Rob Blaine, the shoot used an industrial site. I recall going on a weekend when operations were shut down, and sneaking in "the back way" with Rob and the model (Kassandra?) so as not to arouse attention. The shoot itself used one portion of a sedimentation pond; while another portion provided the clean water for the clean up. The approach made for a long slog carrying the equipment in and out, but the effort was definitely worth it. Rob explained to me that he scouted out sites from the air, which was feasible because he was a qualified practicing flight instructor. While adhering to the relevant flight regulations, in the course of legitimate training situations, he managed to get his students to fly around areas that might reveal shooting sites. Trying to find them from the ground would likely be unproductive and frustrating - but today of course we have Google Earth!

Aquantics, thanks!

Wow. That's a serious operation.

It sounds like more research is in order.

I'd be grateful for recommendations anyone else has.

I take it the area you are hoping for a muddy holiday is in the American south west? It would be helpful if you gave a geographical location, a radius of travel, etc.

Bryce, I'm not committed to any particular region. We're free to travel anywhere. I was assuming the Southwest would be best based on photo shoot locations, but I'm open to anything.

Thanks!

i've found several mud holes thanks to google maps. check out your area.

It's definitely worth taking a look at the Sinking Map!

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=113213747806519873982.0004719cd8c504905306e&ll=49.758203,-115.615997&spn=0.240865,0.547256&z=11

I would definitely concur with the "check out Google Maps" suggestion, but go a little further. Look at the geology of the area, particularly streams/creeks. Are there any oxbow lakes (curves in a stream/creek/river that have been cut-off creating a lake)? If you prefer marshy areas, those are the ones to look for. If you're more into silty/clay-like mud, set Google maps to show terrain. Oftentimes those can be found on the wide sides of rivers but they have to be low river levels (check with the USGS website for the low times in your area, but if on the Mississippi or Missouri consider looking around Late June, July or August). If you're in the Midwest, I suggest looking along the banks of the Mississippi, Missouri or Ohio at the convergences (although those are not the only areas) and wide curves on the outside of the curve. I once remember hearing of a spot somewhere in Chester, IL as a muddy mecca but that was years and years ago and I have no knowledge of where to go for that spot (i.e. never been there/haven't tried it out). The place in my profile pic is a conservation area in Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi, a word of warning, though, it was an EXTREMELY dry year and the Mississip. was at an all-time lost so I don't know if the mud in question would be viable (there was also a number of other people hanging out the day we went...then again I thiink it was over a holiday weekend of some sort).

The mud flat by me, in Minnesota, is really proving to be a stellar find. It is on public game refuge, and very secluded. Check on my photos to see the types of mud that are available. So far this year, it has been a mix of everything. From waist deep slop, to knee deep think boot pulling, to ankle deep slippery slop. I have gone on the mississippi and minnesota rivers for mudding, but it can get "real" very fast as the amounts of sediment can sometimes be 12-20 feet deep...along the big rivers...never go alone and with out a rope! The place I go is a small river that flows year around, thanks to a dam up stream about 7 miles. The gravel bar is great to as you can get washed off...change outfits if you want and go in again! Get messy, get wet, get a tan.

Reservoirs in summer or dry spells(even in Scotland!) can have uncovered mud, I've noticed that some google maps have been photo'd in winter when water levels are high but bing maps has a lot more recent images taken in summer.

Good advice above... I attached a couple screen grabs from bing maps. You probably don't have to travel far, just do a little research.
The first pic is tidal mud in a marsh I used to go to a lot. Waist deep, VERY thick.
The second and third are my go to favorite clay/silt site. This stuff is 10+ feet deep! The 2nd pic is higher elevation showing the overall sand/stone quarry layout and the third is showing the "aerial view" of where the actual mud is, and the close location of fresh water to clean up.

Thanks, everyone!

Final question: if I'm going to hunt around on Google maps, what state or part of the country is my best bet?

You're asking which square mile of the third-largest country in the world you should search?

@Wambob: No, I'm not asking that. I said "what state or part of the country" should I search? Last I checked, there weren't any states that were one square mile. If you want to willfully misinterpret that question as "one square mile," that's your business, I guess.

Everyone else has been very helpful thus far. Thanks.

Why not create a big mud pit in your--or her--backyard!

This. If you have the type of place you can do it. Having a backyard mudpit for a few years was so much fun! Highly recommend.

Well,

Living in NC I can only speak for the southeastern coast / outer-banks have expansive mudflats and tidal marshes with deep, thick, organic mud. I know in the larger Southeast region you can find plenty of mudflats and such at the beginning of many reservoirs.... though I don't know if those would be silty or sandy. With the abundance of rivers and water, the southeast will also have lots of muddy river banks and wetlands.

I know from Rob Blaine(?) videos and such that the southwest has terrific thick, slick, clay mud.... but finding it is the difficult part.

I can't speak for the other regions / states.

If you live anywhere close to either coastline you really shouldn't have to travel too far to find good deep mud. Some others in this thread have mentioned you can normally find some thick, gooey, deep organic mud in the tidal marshes right along the coast. That first picture that Goodwrench posted is exactly the kinda thing to look for on google maps. Go to the coast line - find little rivers flowing in and look for that kind of patterning on the maps. Check the tide tables for low tide in the area and then go explore/walk around at low tide to see what you can find, I have a couple spots I have found a few spots within an hour of where I live ranging from knee to waist deep! Sometimes the hard part is trying to find a spot far enough out that there aren't a bunch of sticks and sharp tree branches towards the bottom! The spot I go to now is decent but I still feel I need to explore more to find deeper spots!