Clackamas (IV) - 2012 Trip Packet

Clackamas River 2012

April 28th and 29th

Trip Leader

Contact: Darin Kolilis
Mail Code: 98-22
Cell number: (425) 269-2328
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

River/Trip Stats:

Miles on river 13 Miles
Appx hrs on river 2-4 hrs
Drive Time 3:30

River Description:

From Three Lynx to Memaloose. The Upper Clackamas is 13 miles of classic pool-drop with lots of well-defined rapids and play sports. The river runs alongside the road, but it still feels remote. Rafts need a minimum flow of 2000 CFS on the Three Lynx gauge and the whole run gains a class in difficulty above about 7000 CFS. A good level for a first run is 2500-4000 CFS.
The action begins quarter mile below the put-in, soon after you pass the Sandstone Bridge with "Powerhouse". All class III rapids can be read from the water. About 5 miles into the run you come to "Hole In The Wall" rapid. This rapid used to contain a dead end eddy in a rock cleft on river left that could trap boats indefinitely. Nowadays, the main current slides past the eddy, making it much easier and safer. There is even a chain ladder hung from the cliff over the cleft to allow trapped boaters to exit this beast.
The really big rapid, and the only class IV on this run, is "Carter Falls". Immediately above Carter Bridge, this rapid is easily scouted on the way to the put in. At lower flows it requires dodging a few boulders as you slide down towards a riverside ledge. At higher flows it requires a run tight to the left side to avoid boat flipping holes.
There are several more class III rapids in the run including "Toilet Bowl" which has the biggest waves of the run. About 9 miles into the run start looking for people on river right. You are approaching "Bob's Hole". This famous kayak play spot attracts boaters from all over to try their rodeo moves and spectators on river right to watch the show. The actual hole itself is left of center and fun to surf in a raft but be sure that the hole is open when you come into it. You don't want to scatter kayakers like bowling pins.

Pre-Trip Work Party:

The pre-trip work party will be on Thursday April 26th at 5:30pm at the Club Garage.
Since BEWET is a club and not a commercial outfitter we are able to provide Rafting services fairly inexpensively. We are able to do this because we rely on our members and their guests to support the club by helping to share the work involved. By sharing the load, we reduce the burden on club organizers and guides. You can help. Before each trip, we tune up our equipment to insure that it is in good working condition. You are not required to have any prior knowledge or experience, just be willing to help. The tasks you will be assigned will be doable by you. We have Work Party Captains whose job it is to decide what tasks need to be done and to instruct on how to do it. If you are willing to help, please contact your Trip Leader. Work parties are a good place to meet other club members and to learn about club equipment.

Driving Directions:

The takeout at the old weight station at Memaloose. The put in is 13.5 miles upstream on river left immediately after crossing a bridge over the river.

Camping:

The campsite is "Sun Strip Campground". From Estacada, Oregon, travel east on Highway 224 for 24 miles to Sunstrip Campground. Please let me know if you plan to camp so I can save a spot.

Dress:

DO NOT wear cotton shirts or sweatshirts. This river will be cold. You will need to have a heavy duty wetsuit or even better a dry suit. If you do not have proper attire then you will not be allowed on the river. The club is big on safety which includes hypothermia. It is the responsibility of the rafter to rent a wetsuit or dry suit before the trip and bring it on the trip. Most wet suits can be rented for $15-30 for the weekend.
Suggested rental locations can be found on the BEWET website at the following link: http://bewet.org/wetsuit.htm

Schedule:

Friday

• Drive to campsite
• Campfire (if allowed)

Saturday

• 9:30am Arrive at put-in
• 10:15am Run Shuttle
• 11:00 Launch
• 2-3:00pm Arrive at take-out
• 5:30pm – Pot luck and BBQ. Bring something to BBQ and your favorite dish to share with the group.
• Campfire (if allowed)

Sunday

• 9:30am Arrive at put-in
• 10:15am Run Shuttle
• 11:00 Launch
• 2-3:00pm Arrive at take-out

Shuttle:

There will be a Shuttle Coordinator designated by the Trip Leader who will organize the shuttle and lead drivers to the Take-Out.

Raft Assignments:

Assignments will be coordinated at the put-in.

River Food:

No alcohol is permitted on the river.
We will probably not stop for lunch on the river so plan on bringing food that can be consumed on the river. Glass bottles are not allowed on the river.

Camp Food:

As of right now there will not be a potluck on Saturday night, but that may change. I will send out an e-mail if we decide to have it.

River Level Graph (This part of the trip packet is in beta):