Butte Creek

There was more wood in Butte Creek than usual on Dec 11, 2022, yet no portages were necessary. The first one I remember was a short way below the put in, in the middle of the first set of ledges. The top was visible from above, and it was important to go right of it, this was the most dangerous log on the run, but easily avoidable by going right of it at the small horizon.

The next drop downstream of Coal Creek (small cascade on river right) also had an obvious log, we were able to run the small ledge into an eddy on the left in front of the log.

Splittin' Hairs (below the red bridge) was clean.

The next notable logs I remember are at the top of Knuckle Buster/Sucker and at the bottom of Knuckle Buster. Both were run, but are worth a look.

Another tight duck came later in the run, in a class II. This one would probably be a portage with much more water, but it also looks like it will flush away in the next high water event.

There was plenty of other wood present, but it did not detract from the run. I'd go back with the same configuration of wood.

There is aggresive signage on the private road to the put in about reservations being needed, but kayakers do still have permission to park in the open area before the fence at the Scout Camp without reservations at this time.

Pulled from Facebook --

Jacob Verhaegh: Just ran it today (May 1, 2022) at 385 cfs. Called the Boy Scout camp and they confirmed we are allowed to park on their property (503) 539-3834. Two portages for wood, rest was boney but fun!

UPDATE: This tree is gone and the rapid is clear of wood (2017)...............................................

ORIGINAL POST: River wide tree at the bottom of Knuckle buster makes the rapid un-runnable at most any level but maybe the highest. Rapid cannot be run through the bottom, although you can still run the entry piece of the rapid above into the first hole and takeout in the pool to portage.

Lucas Rietmann runs The Butte Crack at low water.

220 cfs

This a great class III/IV run. No portage runs are common with the dam/falls at Scott's Mills sometimes being portaged river left. There are some great play waves just downstream of the falls at Scott's Mills.