a while back I asked for suggestions on a route and possible paddling destinations “west” this summer. Here’s my list, if you have specific suggestions about sections, places to eat, July water levels- fire away,but know that my camping reservations are already made so know that I’m committed to paddling in that area. My wife and I will tandem duck, and I may do some solo kayaking in a creekboat with the wife running shuttle. We’re camping in a dodge roadtrek camper van and doing day trips. Folding bike for shuttles.
Kentucky- Elkhorn river- getting 250 cfs is my main concern toward the end of June (have a brother in Frankfort) how low can you go? I have paddled this run before but in the Spring.
Indiana- hope to hook up with pblanc and spend 1/2 a day on Blue River
Nebraska- Niobrara River, I’m staying and using for shuttle Dryland Aquatic in Sparks- any suggestions on put in or take outs, just have one day of paddling- best scenery is?
Wyoming- Shoshone River- thinking about hitting the “Red canyon” section on day 1 and using commercial outfitter for shuttle but not sure its worth the expense?, 2 days of paddling on the North Fork of the Shoshone- staying at Wapiti and Three Mile Campgrounds, using bicycle for shuttles
short paddle to Flagg Ranch on the Snake (just South of Yellowstone)probably run solo and get wife to shuttle
Buffalo Fork of the Snake (staying at Heart Six Ranch)anybody on pnet actually boated this? Bicycle shuttle likely
Idaho- possible short paddle on the South Fork of the Payette near Grand Jean Campground- I’m thinkin’ this could be “creeky” and with wood
3 more days of camping along the South Fork- paddling possibilities include calmer sections of the south fork (I’ve paddled swirly canyon and S.F. canyon sections already) possibly a middle fork of the payette run, or main payette just below banks. There’s a scenic stretch of the North Fork that sounds appealing but shuttling looks problematic and could be a long day for a ducky?
Oregon- Deschutes river- thinking of above and below Maupin (hitting this midweek) possibly renting a raft for below Maupin (one class iv) is it sneakable for ducks? My sister (Portland) is joining me for the Deschutes
Anything worth checking out near Mt. Hood (class I, II, class III) mid July?
Spending three days on the coast of OR-planning to mostly hike- would want to keep saltwater kayaking beginner friendly- odds are wife would not want to paddle- and I’d be in a creekboat or using a rental with very limited experience
Cali- maybe a short paddle on the Smith River- looking for a mellow section near J. S. state Park
Trinity- one day- keepin’ it class II, III- I haven’t decided on a section yet
I think that covers most of it. thanks for all the suggestions on the previous thread- it was very helpful in making a plan.
Probably repeating myself…
Did I send links to my blogs on the Niobrara, the Snake, Trinity, Santiam (OR)? Let me know and I will PM them to you. The Trinity is more likely to have water than the Smith, or the Chetco for that matter.
Though it might be out of your way, Henrys Fork of the Snake has some nice runs. You might have better odds of decent water than you would for the S.Fk.Payette. There are 4 runs that may be within your ability. The one starting below Lower Mesa Falls is more feasible for you, because with a ducky, you can climb down to it more easily.
You might be able to manage the Snake run down to Moose if you’re able to read water well enough to stay out of a braided channel. What with the usual current, it goes very fast. I passed up the Flagg Ranch run because it appeared I might need to paddle on the lake with doubtful wind conditions.
Other possibilities. The 3 Lynx run of the Clackamas is likely to be bony, but I had a nice run at what must have been about 450 cfs. I also ran the Husum Falls section of the White Salmon, in southern Washington, and as long as you stay out of Maytag above the put in, the rest isn’t bad. There’s more of it now, because the took out the dam at the bottom.
I’m going to do some more research
on henry’s fork (snake). I think the White Salmon is probably more than I’m looking for- wife and sister are joining me for the northern oregon paddling part of the trip and they are a bit less adventurous than myself.
Only thing…
I might add is, when in Oregon around the Deschutes, you might want to check out the John Day, which is the next river system to the east. It’s wonderful scenery, mostly class 1 and 2 with a few class 3 rapids, and the water is warmer than the Deschutes (Deschutes is mostly trout fishing, John Day is terrific smallmouth bass fishing).
yeah the John Day looked like a good
choice in a lot of ways- difficulty, scenery, serenity etc. I’m looking for day trips- I’m camping out of my campervan and my sister has a small pop up camper and the John Day looked less suited for that style of trip.