Spring Creek

Water level was 18' (possibly higher, we checked after the run). The normal put in at the bridge over spring creek at Bluff is under construction. There is a spot to park on the left side of the road further up 209 if you continue south.

Continue to watch for wood before the river picks up just before chutes and ladders. You will go under a small bridge for a private drive just before chutes and ladders. NOTE: The trail on river left to scout chutes and ladders may be private property.

Chutes and ladders should be scouted if possible on river left to check for wood. On 1st drop, boof towards left or right eddy (right is easier) and head down toward a large river left eddy before the second drop. Then ferry to river right and head down the second drop and stay right of center. You don't want to be too far right, as you will run into a cliff face, but if you're too far left there is an underwater rock (exposed at lower flows). If the rock is exposed, you want to be almost touching it. Water after the 1st drop is very pushy at higher flows. Route down this rapid after the first drop may be flow dependent, as the large rock in the second drop in river center/left that was covered up at 18'.

Cookie monster can be boat or shore scouted, watch for wood on each side. Left or right is fine depending on wood.

Mini vortex is difficult to shore scout. Rapid info has good description. Enter on river right, and head towards a large eddy in river center. It is a good spot to boat scout the second part of the rapid. From the the center eddy, ferry back to river right, then work quickly towards river left before the first big drop. (Note: you may be able to bleed out of the center eddy for an easier trip to the first drop on the left, but there was wood in this route when we ran it). You want to be on the left side of the first big drop. The river right drop could be run, but hole looks munchy. One of our boaters flipped and rolled back up going over this drop. The second drop is much easier. Main line is on river right for the second drop, but at higher flows, the left line can also be run. Watch for wood throughout the rapid.

Bannana split can be partially shore scouted on river right before the rapid. Main line is just barely to the left of the large rock before the drop in river center. Avoid the drop on far river right (right side of big rock). Not only is there a nasty hole at the bottom, but there is also a severly undercut ledge. It would be a tough rescue, at least at the level we ran it. The river left drop could potentially be run, but none of us were brave enough to try it, water pushes you into cliff face.

Surprise ledge has a good description with nothing extra to add. Boof in center. Watch for wood.

U-Turn has a good description with nothing extra to add. Watch for wood.

Unlike what the description says, there is quite a bit of active whitewater from U-Turn to the bridge. Pretty much constant class 2-3 read and run, at least at 18'. Perhaps it is different at lower flows, but it's certainly not flat water.

The takeout at the 209 bridge has a nice staircase up to the road, but the eddy at the takeout is very small.