Manitou
A) E.General Grade Road/362 to Cty.7 (9.2 miles)
| Difficulty | II-III(IV) |
| Length | 9.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 50 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 29, 2015 |
River Description
From this far upper access, you may find much headache as many parts of this reach may be subject to deadfall. Indeed, looking at the online aerial views, often it is impossible to tell where the river is. (It is possible that may be due to the perspective/angle of those aerials as well, but one must anticipate at least equal likelihood of wood.) Expect a few flatwater/ponded areas, but also expect a few great worthwhile sections of gradient.
All information provided for this section is strictly conjecture, from online maps and satellite views. We have no first-hand knowledge of what you'll actually find. Have you done this section (or scouted it in some fashion)? Please add a comment below, or furnish a report (with photos/videos, if possible). Let your fellow paddlers know if this is a worthwhile addition to the whitewater options of the area, if it is a total disaster to even attempt, or something you may do once but vow 'Never again!'
River Features
Put In
Drainage: 12 sq.mi.
At uppermost listed put-in (based on personal measurement via online planimeter and topomaps.)
Head of upper gradient
It is seriously difficult to see (on aerial views online) the river through here. That could be in part due to the time of year and angle/perspective of the stellite views, but at least as much because this is high up on the watershed and the river is small/narrow here. Thus, expect that there may be much problem with overhanging trees/shrubs, as well as significant opportunity for deadfall and snags blocking your path. That could make this first area of good gradient very problematic. Proceed with caution!
bridge
Balsam Creek
Balsam Creek enters from river-right, and signals you are nearing a marked (on topo maps) rapids just downstream.
Head of rapids
Confluence, S.Br.Manitou
Powerline & RR Crossing
A major powerline roughly parallels a railroad crossing the river here. Aerial views show plenty of evidence of double-track access at this area. Unknown how viable it may be to actually get in/out to here (I.E., whether roads are gated or maked as private).
By my best reckoning, drainage at this point may be up to 18 square miles.
Confluence, Moose Creek
Moose Creek comes in from river-left.
Head of gradient
Take Out
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