Indian Creek

Robert Farmer---I caught this at a minimum level the other day. If you were wondering just what the minimum is, I would say it is 1.8 on the Route 653 gauge. (Note: this gauge is on river left upstream of the bridge and has black lettering on dark concrete that makes it almost impossible to see, let alone read.) Laurel Hill was at @ 1.86/350. At this low level, it was all Class 3, with the one Class 5---perfect for your almost-non-paddling-significant-other-in-an-inflatable-kayak-on-a-hot-summer-day. Probably another foot or so would be quite fun and mostly Class 4. The run starts off with a long left bend, then goes into a long right bend; toward the end of this right bend, on the right side, is a hole that is backed by a piece of bedrock from the shore---very sticky at low levels; probably washes out at some point, but watch out. Best to stay left. The streambed for this creek is pretty much all smooth bedrock, with many slides and ledges, but not so many boulder gardens---very interesting. After a while there is a 6-foot ledge; run right (6-foot vertical to a deep pool) or left (short vertical to a right-curving slide) but not center (6-foot vertical to flat rock). Scout Right. It's pretty easy to tell when the crux rapid is coming. You'll come to a right bend with undercut shelves on the left; there are 3 rocks scattered in the way---I thought of them as the 3 horsemen of the apocalypse. Anyway, it turns out not to be hard, but then there is a 3-4-foot ledge just downstream that you might want to scout. From here, you can see up ahead that the 80-foot-wide creek narrows to about 25 feet and acquires some 10-foot shelves for the shorelines---hey, it ain't rocket science; it's easy to figure out! At low water, the line was elegantly straight, though it is always trying to force some turns---very interesting. I cleared the undercut rock by a good 2 feet---18 inches, at least! Plenty of room. Or the carry on the right looks perfectly reasonable. There's a soccer ball jammed in a crack on the bottom left, if you feel like exerting yourself a bit to get it out. One more scout-worthy rapid (clear on the right), and the creek eases off. I walked back up the creek from the confluence, but I really can't recommend this hiking shuttle---it is definitely not 45 minutes, as reported elsewhere! I timed it at one hour and 55 minutes, with no more than 5 minutes of minor pauses; I was walking briskly, although my boat is big and heavy. Of course, you don't really have to go all of the way to the confluence, but I like to do that. Personally, I would rather just do some flat water and a shuttle, but, hey, it's up to you. On another note, 2 young guys discovered that their ATV doesn't float in the creek; yeah, they hiked up to the trail, looking a bit spooked, and asked me if I had a truck! Well, I wouldn't be carrying my boat 4+ freakin' miles uphill if I had a truck, now would I?! I'm thinking that ATVs aren't supposed to be back here, but about 30 of them passed me, perhaps on a rescue mission. The trail is a perfect old railroad grade. When I got home, I got out my folding kayak dolly/trailer thingy, and put it in my car, in case I want to do this one again; it fits nicely in a large boat.