Using a hammock as a tent

[gila_dog]

I have a Claytor Jungle Hammock. I'm planning to take an 8 day river kayak trip in Sept (San Juan River in UT). I will be using a borrowed inflatable kayak. I hate sleeping on the ground, but apparently there are few camp sites and those have few trees. So I am thinking of taking my hammock and using it as a tent. If I can I will hang it and use it the right way, but, alas, it may be impossible at times. So.... I thinking about bringing some tent poles to rig at the ends of the hammock, run a ridge line above. Then lay the hammock down on a tarp and fold the tarp up over the ridge line and back down the other side.
If I can hang I will, but I don't want to bring both a tent and the hammock. I need all the room in the kayak for essentials like fishing gear, hiking boots, clothing, an ice chest and a lawn chair.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[hangnout]

Picture from the Claytor website

Maybe take a sheet of tyvek to put under hammock

[Simple Survival]

I have a claytor and love the way I can use it as both. Just a little heavier than some hammocks.

[hang-in]

Would a waterproof(breathable) bivy work for you? What do you use with your hammock(sleeping bag, pad, under/top quilt)? Would it lend itself to working in a bivy?

[canoebie]

I have gone to ground with my claytor a number of times. gotta be creative, no big deal. Works well, challenge is to get bug net up and away. I use paddles as poles for the ends and stake out, you will find something. Lots of times when I camp on islands there are not adequate trees and I go to ground. Be sure to take a pad, like the old days of ground dwelling. Good luck, you can do it, it is no big deal. Extra twine, like zing-it or something would be helpful for creating more options, as well as a few extra stakes.

[gila_dog]

Thanks all, for the responses. I'll just take my hammock, tarp, and some bungies and paracord and a couple of yucca walking sticks, and figure something out. There should be plenty of rocks to use for rigging guy lines to the walking sticks. I just hate the idea of "going to ground". Been there, done that, and it sucks. One a hanger, always a hanger.