Lolo Creek
2. Cottonwood Flats (near State Meadows) to Clearwater River
January 1, 1900
Trip Report
| Reporter | Ellis Cucksey |
This is the first major rapid on Lolo. There's a large tangle of wood blocking the left 2/3 of the river at the top. Look carefully for wood every trip down. Scout and portage on river right.
At high water, the creek turns freight train and there aren't many eddies.
This is one of the stick gages on river left. There's another one, attached to the bridge support, which sticks up higher. If this one is under water, expect some stomp in the canyon.
This is the steepest single rapid on the run. It's also considered the most significant. The lead-in is a long bolder garden that runs right into the ledge you can see at the top in this photo. The ledge creates a solid hole, but there's a good flake that boofs you right through.
This is taken from about halfway through the rapid.