Big Sucker Creek

The Big Sucker is perhaps one of the easiest North Shore creeks to catch with water. From Cty 33, there is about a half mile of light rapids with one low ledge sequence. You'll want to get out and scout the next steep, twisting drop that changes directions abruptly several times in a narrowed channel that feeds almost immediately into a 12', high angle slide.

This is followed primarily by light rapids and flatwater with a decent current speed. Passing under Ryan and Berquist Rds, there are no more significant drops until the woods open up for a powerline frontage. There is a low ledge shortly after and then the main action begins.

There are two slide sequences that can be a bit scrapy at lower flows. The second is terraced at the top and has a 'ski jump' in the center at the bottom. At this point the river makes a hard turn to the left. Get out on the right to scout the next sequence here as eddies become somewhat scarce below.

The river looks innocuous here but just around the next bend is 'The Bunny' (named with references to Monty Python and Energizer battery commercials). The river drops 100' in the next 0.2 miles. Around the corner lie a pair of ledges, then most of the current funnels down into a narrow, violent slot dropping about ten feet -- this route hurts, trust me. Instead, after the ledges (which will likely leave you river-left) cut hard to far right across the lip of the main (slot) drop, to hit a small bypass channel. Watch for a potential 'head and tail' pin here and angle left at the bottom to avoid the rock wall. This is the most difficult part of the drop but the fun is just beginning.

Ten yards below, there is a short ledge leading into a small vertical that drops into a pothole; watch the overhanging rock on the left. This feeds immediately into another small vertical where it is necessary to come off with hard left angle to avoid pitonning the facing rock. At higher flows it is possible to run a slide to the left her

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