Potts Creek

Ran the section of Potts again at higher water than previous and was def. a step up. class 3 + for sure. a few must make moves and 2 wires across the creek from Paint Bank putin to take out at Steel Bridge campground. water was at 4.5 or a little higher on gauge. -cam
I ran this with cam on 1-7-09 after 2 inches of local rainfall - brought up this section to 4.5 ft. We ran from the Paint bank Depot Lodge down to the Steel Bridge Campground - around 2 miles in about 45 mins braving the end of the storm, sleet, rain, and gusty wind. The first place to watch at higher flows is within the first 1/4 mile when the creeak cuts right away from the road, this is an area where the creek splits several times around several islands creating a maze of sorts leaving you to scout or guess for the best route - beware of strainers, this was the only place we found strainers requiring portage. The next major concern is just before the Depot Lodge Outfiiter (see photo), There is a 75 yard rapid with a couple small strainers in this section that require you to move left to right to left and end with a double cable from an old bridge that crosses the creek. We were able to move far river left and squeeze under the cable - at higher flows (5+ ft.) this will probably become a mandatory portage; make sure to scout it before you round the bend into the rapid. If you are on the water there should be a smaller 'precursor cable' hanging across just upstream of the bend before the rapid with a hanging sign that says something about trout or tresspassing or both or neither. . Then all is well and boat scoutable until you reach the campground where the real fun begins and gradient picks up for a 1/4 mile. Running along side the campgound, take out before going under the next bridge and hike back through the campground to shuttle. Potts Creek continues to grow in size and flow from here to Covington & runs through some beutiful scenery and along amazing cliffs.