4) Poe Dam to Poe PowerhouseClass IV-V
7.5 Miles
Avg Gradient 70 fpm
Max Gradient 120 fpm
Poe Canyon
Poe Canyon Photo of Roland McNutt by Dave Steindorf taken 4/17/04 @ 700 cfs River DescriptionThe Poe reach is the lowest run on the North Fork Feather above Lake Oroville. This 8 mile reach is comprised of two distinctly different runs. The first four miles (the Poe Canyon) are continuous class IV/V and the second four miles are class III+ . Fortunately there is an access road at the mid point where the character of the run changes at Bardees Bar. This enables padders to do the class V or the class III+ run or both.Poe Canyon The put-in for the Poe Canyon is at a location called Sandy Beach, because……. It is located just downstream from the Cal Trans Station which is about a mile past the first bridge that you cross as you enter the canyon. If you wish to take out at Bardees Bar, take the turn out off highway 70 where the power lines cross the highway. Take the dirt road to the right. This road and I it is quite steep in places, a high clearance vehicle is recommended should not be used if it has had much rain. This is also the put-in for the Bardees Bar run. The run starts out with a few easy warm up rapids before the highway 70 bridge. After the bridge things pick up quickly. After several class IV rapids a class V+ rapid that was dubbed Four Doors during the flow study. While this rapid is potentially runnable, no one during the flow study ran this rapid in its entirety. Most used the portage route on the right side, which does require some technical rock climbing. Immediately below the four doors is a short rapid with a sticky hole at the bottom. Named sticky wicket, this was the site of several extended surfs during the flow study. Next up is a long rapid named Toboggan. This rapid became substantially harder at flow levels above 500 cfs. A number of fun class IV rapids occur over the next mile. Pactchin’s Passion, the only named rapid from the Hogback/ Stanley Guide Book, is an impressive 12-15 foot drop that is difficult to come out of right side up. There is one more long class IV+ rapid before you reach Bardees Bar. Bardees Bar Below Bardees Bar the mellows considerably, however, it does contain several class III+ rapids and flows through a delightful part of the North Fork Feather Canyon that is away from Highway 70. The rapid that begins immediately below the put-in can be a little junky at low flows. Several long class III + rapids follow with one IV- that is just above the bridge leading to the Poe Powerhouse. Be sure to look up while padding this section of river, as Bald Eagles are regulars to this reach. To reach the Takeout take Big Bend Road off of Highway 70. Follow Big Bend Road until you see Bardees Bar Road on the right. This gravel road will lead to the Poe Powerhouse in about 4.3 miles. At 1.3 mile there is a hairpin turn in the road, here Bardees Bar Road leaves to the left. After you leave your shuttle vehicle at the Poe Powerhouse you will take this road to get to the put-in. About a quarter mile before Bardees Bar the road is currently washed out. It is currently (as of 2006) passable with a good high clearance 4wd. It is an easy walk to the river if you choose to save your vehicle and not attempt this crossing. A GUIDE TO THE BEST WHITEWATER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, HOLBEK & STANLEY, 1988 StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2006-05-23 16:25:57
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