The joys of re-discovering forgotten runs.
Posted by Chris on May 15, 2009 at 8:28 am | In Trip Reports, Rivers | No CommentsI think it happens to all of us. Every year you declare that you will run this creek or that river or this falls, then -before you know it- life kicks in: You have to work, flows don’t quite cooperate, everybody wants to stay local and run the easy-access runs, there’s just nobody to boat with, and then you missed your chance. Until next year, right? Maybe or maybe not.
Such has been the case with Deer creek. I believe I have talked about the logistics, flows, etc… for kayaking this creek on at least 100 occasions with numerous different kayakers within the last 3-4 years. All very motivated paddlers with similar beta about the worthwhile kayaking to be had on this run. Yet SOMETHING always got in the way.
Erik just b-low Hudson.
Well, there were/are a few kinks in the logistics for a run down Deer creek, such as: One put-in option being a 40 mile shuttle on gravel roads that are usually blocked with snow during its usual run-off season, after the 40 mile shuttle there’s a 1 mile hike to the river, then 9 miles of flat water before the canyon begins, OR, there was a 2-3 mile hike on unknown logging roads to access the river when ever it seems convenient.
Erik. One of the early boofs.
But despite all that, I just kept thinking of the guide books words: “…getting more difficult the more your adrenaline glands and brain cells start to peter out. It is characterized by house sized boulders that block runnable routes from view. At times it is nearly impossible to see your paddling partners or the best route around these huge rocks. Tiny one-boat eddies, do-or-die ferries, and muddy waters caused by logging road erosion add significantly to the danger level. For the die hard experts who have made the run, tales of near misses and severe crashes abound.” “Severe crashes abound?” This sounds like fun!
Me same.
Finally flows, time-off, and well, at least one person could commit so after a little deliberation and my willingness to ride the 7 mile, 1200 vertical foot bike shuttle, the trigger was pulled, and Erik and I found ourselves dropping off the bike at the take-out bridge in the small community of Oso. Flows looked good so we headed up to the gated gravel road near Lake Cavanaugh to start our hike in.
Luckily, as we were approaching the gate we found it wide open! Promptly, we decided to drive to find our river access. Then drop boats, drive back and park the truck at the gate, and hike back to the boats. Needless to say we were tickled-pink by this arrangement and by 2 o’clock found ourselves standing on the banks of the mighty Deer creek. Damn! turns out Deer creek is just as big and silty as Robe canyon!
Do you like boulder gardens?
Erik does….
Getting going, we found ourselves making good time in terrific class 4 whitewater with ginormous boulders littered about the riverbed and some tidy boofs around nearly every corner. We eddy hopped our way through over a mile of these car sized boulders, holes, and slots, before arriving at Hudson. Hudson has some personality issues. Right up-front it seems to say “stomp your shit and enjoy,” but hang out a little longer and you start to realize the disfunctional personality of Hudson. It goes but you best be feeling up to it!
…Until they end in riverwide holes! Hudson.
Actually, Hudson is just the beginning of the of the big stuff. I would say there is 2 miles of solid robe canyon-esqe and harder whitewater below. If you are feeling bold then a large portion of these rapids can be boat-scouted while probably 3-4 deserve a good looking at, not just to keep any severe crashes at bay, but to make sure you hit the money boof that you would have otherwise missed while blazing by!
Great rapids continue in quick succession below Hudson, most of them can be comfortably boat-scouted but you want to stay on your toes ’cause there’s some doozies just lying in anticipation for the un-wary boater to drop in too far…
Spicy!
Maybe the only must-run on the river! But good to go.
This is rapid is 10x better than pictured here.
We found Deer creek to be totally free of wood and while we walked a few rapids just about everything is runnable, scoutable, and portageable. Look For flows on the D.O.E site to be between 800-1500. And look to Deer creek when robe canyon is just a bit high. To access the river, hike in on the main road that paralells Deer to the west. After the gate don’t take the first right off this road, take the second right then within 100 yards walk through the trees to your left….you’ll figure it out.