Copland Creek,

Second Bridge to North Umpqua (Copland Creek)

Usual Difficulty	IV(V) (may vary with level)
Length	5.7 Miles
Avg. Gradient	120 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
N UMPQUA RIVER ABV COPELAND CK NR TOKETEE FALLS,OR
usgs-14316500	3000 - 7000 cfs	IV(V)	00h42m	1170 cfs (rc= -0.5 )

River Description

This run is steep, active, serious Class IV. The rocks are sharp and unavoidable. There is a 15 foot waterfall in the middle of the lower section with an unpleasant portage.

Description:

This run splits conveniently into two sections.

Upper Section

I have not run this section myself. Check out the description, with pictures and shuttle directions, in Jason Rackley's excellent Oregon Kayaking site.

Lower Section

Look over the put-in bridge at the first drop. This is about average. You will be required to do things more difficult than this.

The next drop is not visible from the put-in. When you get there look hard before you portage. This is as hard as it gets (except for the waterfall and logs). If you decide to portage because you're scared, get out a rope and climb up to the road high above. If you decide to portage to save your boat the indignity of a really bad ding then you're probablly doing the right thing.

Shuttle:

To get to the take-out: Take I5 to Roseburg exit 124 and follow the signs to state highway 138 east. Go east just past MP 51 to Copland Creek. It is well marked. Take out under the bridge or down the Umpqua.

To get to the mid point put-in: Go up Copland Creek Road (USFS 28) two miles to the first bridge. Cross the bridge and park. Put in at the 'pump chance' WO 30307.

To get to the put-in: Stop at the mid point put-in and gaze at the rapid downstream. Go back accross the bridge and continue up river left on the dirt road (Copland Creek Road USFS 2801). Bear left at all intersections. After two and a half miles turn left at USFS 2801-300. Cross the bridge and park in the hunters camp. Carry down to the creek from here. A much nicer put-in is 0.2 miles downstream at 'pump chance' WO 3040.