Send this Comment to Author Only

Preserve Post Date

Keep the original post date when you are editing and don't want to reset the post date.

Indicate Type

Warnings will appear more prominently to other users. Complaints will be forwarded to site administrators.

comments

Robert Farmer---The creek starts off slowly, gradually building up to some vigorous rapids after 1.5 miles or so.  The crux rapid (Class 4) is on a long right turn of about 130 degrees. About halfway throught the turn, an island appears on river left with a large log pile on it; it appears to be a quintessential strainer.  There is a tiny channel on the left where I did not want to go.  I eddied out to the left, got washed out backwards, went over a small ledge backwards, flipped, and rolled right above the log jam---all in 30 degree weather.  I found a fairly calm place against a log to rest, then ferried hard across to river right.  From here on down, the creek is easier, but fun.  Then, after a few miles, just when you're feeling that you have beaten the infamous Stonycreek Gorge into submission, some large ledge holes appear quite suddenly.  When I did it at around 5.8/2800 at Ferndale, the holes would eat you alive, hence the story about the epic retreat mentioned elsewhere.  They came up too fast to scout, and you don't want to be there, ever.  I ran the last one on the left, but it was very scrapy; right would be better.  Don't go down the middle!  The rest of the creek is entirely moderate.  Time for me: 1.5 hours. Most groups at lower levels will probably want to allow at least 3 hours.