Little Pigeon, Middle Prong
3. Porter's Creek Confluence to Hwy 73 (The Greenbriar)
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report1.4 on the bridge gauge is wet-rock minimum. But everything goes.
Unlike the description on this page, we call the rapid by the ranger station 'Ranger Station' for obvious reasons, and the rapids near the take-out 'Wedding Boof rapids' since it's a picturesque spot for weddings. What is called 'Big Pillow' on AW is called 'Sidewinder' in the groups I have run this with.
'Sidewinder' has a spot to get out above on river right and scout. There's a left side chute that goes at minimum but it's possible to piton. The right side feeds into a curler/hole that can get nasty. There's a center line that is friendly enough at low water, haven't run it at higher flows.
'Ranger Station' by the actual ranger station is a long rapid that is not scoutable, that culminates in an ugly keeper hole river right that has beaten the snot out of some folks. Run as far left as possible. You can also boof the center rock at some levels but be aware of the keeper hydraulic wanting to reach out and grab your stern for a long visit.
Everything else is read-and-run.
I ran the GB several times in Summer 2018. In late April I ran at 1.5ft on the bridge gauge. I agree that this is a minimum level for kayaks. In general I tell newbies 'If it's an Island, in general take the right channel' . 'If it's a bigger rapid, then while there may be several lines, you can typically run left of center or far left and get an easier line'
Well downstream of the halfway point there is a mostly river-wide ledge. It has a pourover type hole in the center. The approach to this ledge is fast, but not terribly technical. At levels 2.0ft and higher you can try to avoid the pourover using a boof right of center (no doubt there is some upper bound to this line, but I am not sure). Otherwise, running far left of this ledge will usually get you good outflow and hit a weaker spot on the hole. For example, a recent swimmer had his boat spit out by this pourover on far river left. I hope that this helps.
One of the most fun whitewater runs I know of
We took a couple of Walmart fishing kayaks and had a blast.
Last rapids...take-out...(Minimal level)
Put-In...Porter's Creek confluence......(Minimal level)
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Getting 'eaten' by boat eater ledge...(Minimal level)...
The boat-eater ledge...(even at this minimal level)...
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(Minimal level)...typical rapids
A beautiful place!...(Minimal level)
A beautiful place!...(Minimal level)
A beautiful place!...(Minimal level)
A beautiful place!...(Minimal level)
Porter's creek confluence...Put-In...(Minimal level)
Put-In...Porter's Creek confluence...(Minimal level)
Put-In...Porter's Creek confluence...(Minimal level)
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(Minimal level)...What's up with this, Glenn???
(Minimal level)...avoiding the pin rock
(Minimal level)...typical rapids
Minimal flow
The boat-eater ledge...(even at this minimal level)...
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A beautiful place...(Minimal level)
Just below the Big Pillow rapid, about halfway down the river.
Watch out for the pin rock in the center of the river. From above the obvious line takes you right into it, be sure to scout on your way up.
Typical rapid on the 1st half of this section. Low water, 1.5' ish. About the lowest I would consider running this section.
This is a great creak to run durning any season. You need to know the creak to stay out of some hairy spots. This is a great place for beginers at creaking and want to go the distence in your paddleing skills. I recomned puting in at one of the few flat water places to get warmed up for the almost nonstop class 3-4 rapids.
Cut all the logs from porter/ ramsey to 321 from run. I run this creek at FULL flood (6-10 ft) in a tube .. must be class 4 + at this time (6-8ft. waves below ranger station).. excellent !!