Warwoman Creek

7/23/2005 My son & I ran Warwoman at 2.68 feet from the last bridge down to Warwoman Ford, about 2.78 miles by GPS in canoes with floatation. Wow, That was fun. Mattress is great! We enjoyed the challange and the intro to Creekin'. But, Beware! There are significant strainers and deadfalls. None required that we leave the creek and only one was not passable without a momentary exit. Pins are a constant threat at the strainers and caution is required as you approach from upstream in the bigger water.

The listings here accurately represent the difficulty though I agree with one submitter that Mattress is nearly a IV: it is really several rapids that constitute an 11 foot drop overall with ample oppurtunites to pin and swim! Rescue is hindered by the steep banks, the lack of pools, inability of others to get to you, the canoeist must have mastered very complex eddie-ins, eddie-outs and ferries to safely complete...MORE than a III+ in my book. We got wet more than once but usually as we eaked-out all of the good from each rapid! It took us four hours in the water and was rather tiring. But, we are not as accomplished as some. The hike is listed as two miles in the shuttle but it is an easy 2 miles. This creek is highly recommended and very fun at this level.