Jordan Creek
Headwaters to Wilson River
| Difficulty | III+(IV) |
| Length | 7.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 120 fpm |
| Gauge | Wilson River Near Tillamook, or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 4.13 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 7, 2024 |
River Description
Jordan Creek would be a great place for intermediates to develop creek boating skills if it were clean of wood, but it isn't. This is an area of active logging, heavy rainfall and intense erosion. With that said, advanced paddlers who are confident that they can avoid the abundant wood hazards will also find fun moves, great surfing and boofs. Intermediate paddlers who would like to explore this creek are be well advised to seek local guidance. It is only runnable during and immediately after a significant rainfall in the area.
The bottom 5 miles of this run contain almost entirely class III or III+ rapids with short pools between them. There is one class IV, located under a bridge alongside the shuttle road.
The obvious takeout is where Jordan Creek Road meets Highway 6 and the main Wilson, or you can take out two rapids downstream on the Wilson, where there is access on river right downstream of the Cedar Butte Road bridge. There is good signage for Jordan Creek ORV area to help you find the put-in road.
Driving up Jordan Creek Road from the Jordan/Wilson confluence you will initially be peeking into the final gorge which always looks full. At 0.9 miles you reach a bridge crossing where you can visually assess the flow. This is the 3rd bridge when you're going downstream. There was a landslide from river left upstream of the bridge changing the channel here, so historical landmarks are no longer relevant, including the 'Butcher's Block' rock.
Upstream from 3rd bridge you will be driving up river right. Watch for wood and scout when indicated. Somehow it usually looks class II on the drive up but then feels class III after you launch.
The biggest rapid on the lower run ((2nd) Bridge Rapid), is 1.3 miles upstream from 3rd Bridge mentioned above (or 2.2 miles from the highway). This scout is easy and well worth doing. Remember to look UNDER the bridge as wood has hung up there too. This rapid is characterized by a diag
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe went at low water because the last report we had said there were 3 portages for wood and a dead elk in there. We found zero portages, but as always some wood avoidance. One was nearly riverwide but we were able to go around both ends of it. This one will move with the next high water.
Our flow was as low as you would want to go, just after a Wilson peak at almost 6.5 feet, with cold temps and a freezing line not that far above. This run stinks any lower, because every slot has a rock in it and many rocks are pointy boat gougers.
The most memorable wood is a gigantic chunk of old growth with a sawed-off end in a continuous section of the bottom gorge. It's perched from a big boulder to the left bank. We used to go on either side of this rock but now it's a gut check at least at low water you have to go straight toward the OMG log and bank off the pillow to the right. This massive log is visible from the road on the drive up.
A local crew made a portage free run today at 6.75' on the Tillamook gauge. There was snow on the ground and the water was green. There were a couple pieces of wood, one to limbo under and one to bump over, but that is normal for this run. Both will move with the next high flow.
There's a lot of small wood in Jordan right now but it is all passable without getting out of your boat. About 15-20 minutes downstream from the lower launch there's an alder in easy water that you'll need to bump over. After that there are several pieces of wood that look bad from above but are passable on the left. Always check for yourself and scout on the drive up because the coastal range is notorious for its woodiness and changeability.
Second half of the bridge rapid about 2.2 miles upstream from confluence. Easy to road scout. 7.5 ft
Looking upstream in the last mile of Jordan Creek at 7.5ft.
Rapid about 5 miles up from Wilson confluence at 7.5ft.
First rapid into the final mile of Jordan Creek at 7.5 ft.