Escanaba, E.Br.,

Sands Plains Run: Section 20 Bridge to O'Neal Creek (2.25 miles)

Usual Difficulty	I-II(III) (may vary with level)
Avg. Gradient	30 fpm
Max Gradient	55 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
MIDDLE BRANCH ESCANABA RIVER AT HUMBOLDT, MI
usgs-04057800	100 - 800 cfs	I-II(III)	01h20m	25 cfs (rc= -0.1 )

River Description

This is an excellent run for beginners and intermediates during spring run-off. The run is a pool drop style run with 4 distinct short rapids(class I-II at 'normal' water levels, III in spring or high water). Average run time is 45 minutes. There are two logs which must be portaged in the first 1/4 mile, but the run is clear after that. (The second log can sometimes be run under on the far right at lower levels.) You will pass several cabins on river left in the first mile of the run.

The first drop (Canyon Rapids) is shortly after the sighting the first cabin on river left(approx 1/3 mile into the run). It is a 30-40 yd run through granite walls 4 feet apart. The drop consists of a slide with a bend to the right in the middle of the rapids and a 3 ft drop at the end. This should be scouted for wood before running. Take out river left before the drop and walk over the footbridge spanning the drop to inspect entire drop.
The second rapids are straightforward with a 3-4 foot drop at the end into a sometimes sticky hole. There is a log wedged in the rock on the right side of this run (1/2 way down) which can catch the nose of a kayak and flip it. To avoid it, stay centered or river left on this drop.

The third drop is the longest rapid on the run. Shortly after the second rapid, you will take a right and see around 100 yards of boulder bed rapids. They are fairly straightforward and end in a decent hole, great for surfing in the spring.

The fourth drop is at the end of the run. It consists of a slide through a rocky area with a 90 degree bend midway and a small drop into a large pooled area at the end ot the run. Takeout is is on river right of this pool, up the sandy bank to the local camping/party area.

The drops are almost evenly spaced throughout the run and the flatwater between the runs is still moving at a pace which allows easy paddling from one drop to the next. (The flatwater between the first and second drops often has some small (~ 1 foot) standing waves in it). The private land owners in the cabins have been very friendly but we have stayed in our kayaks when talking to them. Two of the cabins/houses are regularly occupied and have docks in the river.