Thomas Creek
1. Thomas Creek Falls to Log Bridge
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Thomas Creek Near Scio, or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 153 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 17, 2023 |
River Description
Thomas Creek is short and sweet with many quality rapids, some surf spots, pretty waterfalls and lush forests. Large logs lurk in and around the river, just like on every other creek in the PNW.
This run is hard to catch because the gate that permits a reasonable shuttle is only open for a brief period in autumn, during hunting season. Regional rains typically begin in November but lining up a day off with a suitable flow is not easy. For locals who know about this gem, the time spent roaming logging roads in search of a launch point is a worthwhile investment.
Horizon lines are abundant and the whitewater is evenly split between class III and class IV, except when the water levels are higher and the pools disappear. At low and moderate flows this creek is technical, with beautiful eddies and boofs, and can be used to introduce paddlers to steeper water. Above 1400 cfs or so the pools start to push through, funny water develops, and some of eddies turn into holes. Avoiding the inevitable wood and rescuing the occasional swimmer gets harder.
One early rapid ( Runaway) has a wall on the right and boulders on the left. This rapid can get interesting, as paddlers often miss the scouting eddies and find themselves runaway as they head through a chute and over a folding ramp. Many fun intermediate rapids make up the bulk of the run below Runaway, culminating in three good rapids at the end that stand out ( Firebox, Shoo Fly, and Caboose). These rapids can be scouted, or read and run if you have prior knowledge of wood. Firebox is usually run on the right through an exciting hydraulic that doesn't hold boaters, but can cause them to shoot out in interesting ways. Shoo Fly does't look like much from above, but if you don't make a strong move to the right, a folding hydraulic can push boaters into the left wall/pocket. Caboose is the largest of the rapids on the run, and flushes boaters th
...River Features
Put In
Log Bridge Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportStarting from below the waterfall, there was one log portage just downstream of the older putin. There was another log portage about in the middle of the fun, class 3 rapids in the middle of the run. There was a significant and dangrous log in Shoo Fly, the rapid where the river splits around an island and then comes back together again before a powerful hole on the left. The log is in the ouflow if you get caught in that hole. There is a sneak down the right but a log blocks the upper section of the right channel. We started the left channel and then portaged to the right channel about halfway down the island.
All in all, a fun level.
The gauge peaked just over 2,000cfs in the wee hours today and we launched at 12:30pm at around 1500cfs. Nice flow. Juicy but not overly threatening. I think people underestimate this run. A class III paddler would be in trouble here, it is continuous and challenging enough to require solid class IV skills even though many of the drops are 'only' class III. There are lots of them and some have significant hazards. Today we had one portage due to a new tree down across the top of a class III rapid. Otherwise clean lines could be found and a lovely run was had.
April 2019 The standard run was passable without portages for wood, though there were a few pieces requiring accurate lines to avoid. Good clean fun at 1370 cfs.
This rapid starts off the final set of three ledge-y rapids. Above 1,000 cfs it is challenging to stay upright if you take the meat! A sneak is available to the left, and at lower flows it is much more manageable.
Flow in this photo is between 1500-2000 cfs
Brian Butcher runs the first significant rapid if you put in below the waterfall. Flow between 1500-2000 cfs.
Ross George running Thomas Creek Falls at a little over 1,000 cfs on the gauge.
Oct 22, 2016
Some fun ledges near the end of the run.
This is a highlight rapid if you paddle the full run starting a couple miles above above Thomas Creek Falls.
Oct 22, 2016 at a little over 1,000 cfs on the gauge.
A map showing the shuttle routes in to Thomas Creek. These roads are only open during hunting season.