Drift Creek (Siletz)

This is one of the more outstanding runs on the Oregon Coast range that flows through a beautiful forested canyon. At recommended flows the heart of the run is class III with one class IV drop, but be on the look out for wood hazards. It is generally at optimal flows during the winter boating season after a good rain event.

There is an upper section that begins at Drift Creek Falls, and ends at Drift Creek Camp.  The combination of a hike in, lack of rapids and a few log portages means this upper stretch isn't a great option for a whitewater trip.

The preferred run begins at the Drift Creek Camp, a retreat center in the Siuslaw National Forest. The first mile and a half is easy class II warm up. As you enter the first gorge section, the gradient picks up and the class III fun begins.  If flows are over 1,000 cfs expect this gorge to have class IV push.

After a couple of initial rapids, you come to a horizon line and a class IV rapid. You can pull out for a scout on river right. You have options to go down the right or left channel at the entrance. You finish the second half of the rapid by continuing on down the left hand side.

The run continues with a couple more fun class III rapids before the gorge opens up a bit and the gradient tapers off. Soon the action picks up again and you will encounter more class III rapids interspersed with easier sections of class II.

The whitewater finale comes as you approach a boulder garden rapid. An entrance drop requires you to navigate among a few boulders before you reach a good eddy on river left where the river descends over a bit of a horizon line. It's a good idea to scout the landing zone on this one which is easy to do from river left. The preferred line is a chute to river left between two large boulders, but you need right angle to avoid a rock that is in the runout from the chute.

This rapid continues with one more fun boulder garden stretc

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