Molalla
2) Table Rock Fork to Glen Avon Bridge (3 Bears)
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 13 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Molalla River Near Canby, or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 179 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 19, 2024 |
River Description
This section of the Upper Molalla River is popular with intermediate boaters and offers a variety of trip lengths and difficulties. The middle section from Turner Bridge to a mile below Baby Bear is the most popular section and includes the 3 biggest rapids. Above and below this section the river is generally a half class easier and has longer easier stretches between rapids. Usually boaters looking for more than a half day trip will add either the upper or lower sections to the middle section. Rarely are all 3 sections run in the same trip.
The upper portion of this section begins with a put-in on the Table Rock Fork (just above the confluence with the main Molalla River). After .3 miles, the Table Rock Fork joins the main Molalla. The rapids in this part of the river mainly consist of interesting, playful Class 2 rapids with an occassional Class 3 rapid. The biggest rapid on this part of the river is .25 miles downstream from Horse Creek Bridge and consists of increasingly large waves ending in a turbulent, narrow slot in a short gorge. After the entrance of the gorge, there is a good recovery pool. More fun Class 2-3 rapids continue after Horse Creek Canyon Rapid all the way to the beginning of the middle section at Turner Bridge.
Turner Bridge marks the start of what is known as the 3 Bears Run. In this section, the river consists of some larger rapids set in a beautiful basalt canyon. About .7 miles downstream of Turner Bridge is Papa Bear Rapid. Papa Bear starts with a fast ramp down the right side of the rapid with several line options. After a very short pause, the second half of the rapid is generally run down the middle and then finishing on the right or left at the bottom. A mile below Papa Bear is the biggest rapid on this section, Mama Bear. Mama Bear starts on a sharp right turn before plunging through a powerful hole in between 2 large boulders in the middle of the river. Below these boulders, the river plunges down into a beautiful, na
...River Features
Horse Creek Canyon
The river drops away and into a narrow gorge, and it looks from above like there's going to be something wild in there, but it's generally benign. Just some crashing waves and swirlies, and a pretty gorge below. Be alert after high flows because a log jam here would be difficult/impossible to avoid.
Turner Bridge
There are a couple of spots upstream from the bridge where it's easier to get to the water than at the bridge.
Papa Bear
When you look down at this rapid from the road you cannot see how much it drops because you are above it. The lines are not hard, and there are no exceptional hazards, but it has two blind horizons and it is long, making swims long and potentially unpleasant.
Mama Bear
Mama bear bear accelerates toward a horizon line with a tongue, hole and boof to choose from, then explodes through a rock pile. After the bouldery part it narrows down between basalt walls and stays narrow for a while without eddies. Swimmers be patient.
Baby Bear
Baby Bear is a single drop between a large block of basalt and the left bank. At lower flows it has a sticky pocket hole on the right. It's roadside and easy to scout on the ride up. At higher flows you can run it down the left side or sneak it by going to the right of the basalt block.
Goldilocks
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe log jam on Horse Creek Canyon has become considerably worse since Peter's photo. The river has scoured the sides of the canyon attempting to go around the logjam. The portage is now incredibly dangerous if not impossible.