Jordan Creek,

Headwaters to Wilson River

Usual Difficulty	III+(IV) (may vary with level)
Length	6.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient	120 fpm
Max Gradient	160 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
WILSON RIVER NEAR TILLAMOOK, OR
usgs-14301500	350 - 1200 cfs	III+(IV)	01h28m	7210 cfs (rc= 8.1 )

River Description

This is a great place for up and coming paddlers to learn safe creek boating skills. Follow the signs to Jordan Creek ORV area off of Highway 6 in Oregon.
There are mile markers along the way. Above mile 6.5 is a rare vein of Granite in an otherwise Basalt canyon. Class V rapids and a very steep gradient above this point. A difficult seal launch into a pool below the granite leads paddlers into a mini gorge with short drops. A significant ledge occurs less than 1 mile downstream. It cannot be see from the road, and poses a dangerous hydraulic at medium to high flows. Difficult scout and portage. After this point there are tons of Class III drops and long stretches of Class II water. Most rapids can be scouted on the drive up. Put in as high as water and comfort levels permit.
The last mile is a classic. The river drops nearly 100' here and has close to a dozen Class III Rapids. Several long boulder slides, and medium sized ledges provide great action for intermediate paddlers. Drops of interest include: Bomb Shelter, here the river builds from Class II into fast Class III demanding a strong move into an eddy (the bomb shelter) to avoid a large rock. Immediately after that is a fun set of ledges called "Hick Rock Falls" after the rocks thrown at me be some locals on the top of the canyon. Look out. After a few more Class III's is Balls to the Wall, a fast set of big waves down the left wall. Don't worry--there is no hole at the bottom, I promise. A final Class III drops paddlers onto the most likely swollen Wilson. Like an ocean after Jordan Creek. Enjoy.