Mineral Creek

As a general rule of thumb for the Mineral Creek gauge in Silverton, 1/2 water comes from S. Mineral Creek and the other 1/2 comes from Mineral Creek. The gauge reading at 400 cfs would be approx. 200 cfs attributable to each branch of Mineral Creek. At flows at or below 200 cfs this section (not to be confused with S. Mineral) of Mineral Creek is mostly class IV read and run boulder drops with a couple of better formed rapids near the bottom of the run. Higher flows ramp up the level of difficulty due to the cold water, continuous gradient and tight blind corners. Wood can definitely be in play as the run cuts thru the bottom of several large avalanche paths. You can put in at the bridge as it crosses the creek on the road to Ophir Pass or put in below the power transformer station just downstream. Run is approx 2 miles long and takes out at the bridge at the confluence with S. Mineral Creek.