Clear Fork

Write up from MLK Paddle - Pick up Trip - 1-17-11 courtesy of D. Luinstra/TVCC 1/18/11, posted here by realheavyd (D. Smith/TVCC)

6 miles of the upper Clear Fork River, (Peter's Bridge to Brewster Bridge) ~260
CFS and holding at the Burnt Mill gauge 20 miles downstream of Peters Bridge
the put in. Needs more water ~ 500 CFS would be much better.

low 40s no sun, zero rapids, One gravel bar I miss read and had to wade about
20 feet.

There were lots of ice bars in the eddies, and all paddled up on them to break
them. The fun lasted for probably 1/2 mile, then we just ignored them.

A couple of times there were river wide ice sheets, just a few feet of breaking
ice.

About 1.5 miles from the takeout was a huge pool, and the ice breaking was
serious, several 100+ yard ice sheets to break.

I had a good time, good to just get out.

Let us say the Ice Breaker L'edge was not effective, the small bore, short
stroke, low revving, one cylinder is definitely lacking in torque and HP.

It seems to be lacking in both traction and control, spinning needlessly,
emitting noisy & vile emissions (unwanted perturbation to a wanted signal). (^;

I played with the Garmin GPS. I set it to navigate to the takeout 'off road'
and used the trip meter.

Knowing the run was about 6 miles and the distance traveled was helpful.
Also the guessing how far we had paddled was enlightening. The guesses were all close, within a quarter mile after 3 miles.

The trip accomplished what I wanted, safe easy paddle and just out for the day.

Added by D. Smith: At this low level (bare minimum and not recommended, by the way), there was really only one actual 'rapid' of note and the rest of the run was pretty much all class I flat water. I will try to post the video of me in my solo canoe on that 'rapid'.