Molalla

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

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