Salt Creek

Not often run because it is thought to be 'wood choked' this is a gem with consistent water from rain in the winter and snowmelt in the spring, good water quality, and lots of amusing rapids.  Yes, you can expect to dodge a lot of big logs and portage a few, but it is not out of the ordinary for a smaller stream in the Pacific Northwest.

From the launch at McCredie's newly developed parking area the floating is technical class II down to Blue Pool and past it by .02 miles, and then the whitewater ramps up to III+ to IV depending on flow.  Soggy Sneakers mentions two class IV rapids (Luggage Inspector and Unclaimed Baggage) but it is hard to tell which part of the whitewater is those named.  There is a long (2+ mile) section of steep and technical class III+ whitewater with occasional lulls.  After this section the gradient ramps down a little but it does not flatten, rather it becomes continuous class II+ to III with wood obstacles and occasional steep drops to keep you on your toes.

The run has a wilderness feel in spite of the fact that it runs parallel to Highway 58.  The highway becomes obvious when the river and road are both steep enough that truckers are using their air brakes, and when you cross under the highway.

The description and photos offered at Oregon Kayaking is from 2000---the wood has moved.