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Date: 05 Jun 2005 14:55:00
From: Mister_Tea
Subject: Escalante Pics - Sort of Trip Report
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Pics, and description, from my Escalante Trip are up, still finishing off
the website, but it's presentable enough for an amateur:
http://dltooley.nventure.com/outdoorsport/Escalante/
The Escalante has been running at 4-5 times the flow usually, if at all,
available consistently for the last 3 weeks, starting within a couple of
days of these pictures. The guage is located upstream of the put-in, very
high in the drainage, so the effect on the lower river is not easily
extrapolated. I'd guestimate 1000-1500; no problem for an experienced hard
shell boater, presuming campsites can be found. However the river is most
often run in inflatables by those who have more experience hiking the area
than they do running rivers in general.
I haven't heard any stories yet, but am sure they are out there...
Like I said, looks to be a great water year on the Escalante...
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/gauges/id/4243/
Best estimates of total flow are obtained by considering the Pine Creek and
Boulder Creek drainages as well. Pine Creek is above the put-in, the
confluence of Boulder about 5 miles down. Note the annual median on the
guage for current dates!
See also:
http://www.escalanteoutfitters.com/river.html
And definitely talk with the Visitors Center. Shuttles available from
Escalante Outback Adventures - across the street from Escalante Outfitters.
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Date: 08 Jun 2005 14:02:27
From: Bill Tuthill
Subject: Re: Escalante Pics - Sort of Trip Report
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Mister_Tea <Mister_Tea@motleytools.com > wrote:
> Pics, and description, from my Escalante Trip are up, still finishing off
> the website, but it's presentable enough for an amateur:
> http://dltooley.nventure.com/outdoorsport/Escalante/
Thanks! Pictures are great. We remarked on the same rapids you did,
some of which (oddly enough) were not covered in any guidebook.
When we did the river, the Portage below Scorpion Creek was blocked
by debris (trees and branches) and thus very difficult to portage.
Looks like all that debris is gone now.
Upside-Down Tom seemed pretty difficult for something rated class 2...
I didn't know that purple formation was associated with uranium.
Side hikes are phenomenal. We spent 10 days and even then, missed
some canyons we wanted to hike. One we missed due to a flash flood.
I have a buncha pictures from my Escalante trip years ago, but never
put them online. It's such a rarely done trip (or was then) that I
thought there would be little interest.
Sorry about your dog.
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Date: 12 Jun 2005 10:54:37
From: Mister_Tea
Subject: Re: Escalante Pics - Sort of Trip Report
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"Bill Tuthill" <can@spam.co > wrote in message news:42a75ce3@news.meer.net...
>When we did the river, the Portage below Scorpion Creek was blocked
>by debris (trees and branches) and thus very difficult to portage.
>Looks like all that debris is gone now.
The clearing of the invasive Russian Olive, the source of much of the wood
in the river, was started at the lake and is working its way upstream,
slowly. Although much wood is, still, ending up in the river, August flash
floods are slowly clearing it out. There is still wood until about Scorpion
Creek, and certainly there isn't anything to prevent a smaller flash flood
from relocating only a portion of it into the lower river.
I made the suggestion that they consider burning anything that is actually
in the river bed. Can't say if that is actually a good idea or not, but
getting the wood out of the river bed does have some minor benefits and a
burn of at least the safer, mid-river, accumulations is probably ok. FWIW -
it'd be nice to see annual helicopter surveying, and harvesting, of river
logs on Western rivers in more forested climes.
>Upside Tom seemed pretty difficult for something rated class 2...
>I didn't know that purple formation was associated with uranium.
At the water level we had there were a few rapids that were definitely class
3 moves, and then only rated so low because of the low consequence. If
you've seen the guage at all the river, pretty much since we took off a
month ago, has been at 2-300 CFS on the upstream guage - that's 4-6 times
the flow we've had and I believe by far the highest water the river has seen
on a sustained basis since it has been paddled. As I hear it peaked at a
similiar level in 2001, but just for a day. Several boats were lost.
Haven't heard any stories from this year, but I'd imagine they are out
there. I'd guestimate that much of the river is actually easier, but the
consequences much higher given the fact that the river is going to be in
brush or rock banks virtually everywhere, moving fast, and with some very
long class 3 rapids going to 4 on the basis of length, and perhaps a couple
of true four moves thrown in, including both current portages.
>Side hikes are phenomenal. We spent 10 days and even then, missed
>some canyons we wanted to hike. One we missed due to a flash flood.
In the river or the side canyon? Really the emphasis on this trip is more
on Canyon, than River, as well as being a great wilderness trip. That is
until someone tries to barrell down to the lake in a day during a flash
flood... Certainly at normal flows it is very accessible to a fit canyoneer
with only minimal paddling experience, and is prepared/knowledgeable about
hiking out if necessary. I believe Fence is the best alternative
egress/ingress - supposedly easier than Coyote, and about half from the top
easy section or just above the bottom rapids.
>I have a buncha pictures from my Escalante trip years ago, but never
>put them online. It's such a rarely done trip (or was then) that I
>thought there would be little interest.
I'd love to see your pictures. I think the trip will be finding its own
now - there is an segment of the business community in Escalante that is
outdoor aware and this is really the first good water year since Clinton
formed the national monument in 1996.
>Sorry about your dog.
I am still hopefull he will survive and be found - that would be great, even
if not likely.
BTW, ran into a boater whom you probably know, didn't get a last name
though - Martin, out of Brookings, OR, in a blue inflatable.
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Date: 14 Jun 2005 16:30:33
From: Bill Tuthill
Subject: Re: Escalante Pics - Sort of Trip Report
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Mister_Tea <Mister_Tea@motleytools.com > wrote:
>
> The clearing of the invasive Russian Olive, the source of much of the wood
> in the river, was started at the lake and is working its way upstream,
> slowly. Although much wood is, still, ending up in the river, August flash
> floods are slowly clearing it out.
One thing I disliked about running the Escalante was the flowery sweet,
almost putrid, smell of Russian Olives in bloom. The thorns were a pain
also. I'm not sure who pays for Russian Olive removal, but I'm happy
it's happening. Besides, those are Commie trees!
> I made the suggestion that they consider burning anything that is actually
> in the river bed.
While they're at it, I would like them to dynamite Owyhee Falls, just as
some considerate rafter once dynamited Quartzite Falls.
> At the water level we had there were a few rapids that were definitely class
> 3 moves, and then only rated so low because of the low consequence.
It can't be a class 3 unless it has waves or drops > 1 meter tall, but
I suppose it can be class 4 if it requires scouting due to blindness.
The one you call Upside Tom goes around a corner, thus should be scouted
in case of logjam.
>> ... One [canyon] we missed due to a flash flood.
> In the river or the side canyon?
We were exploring a side canyon shortly above Scorpion Gulch when clouds
accumulated and we heard loud thunder. Returning to our boats, we decided
to paddle downstream to a safer campsite, which we found on a high bench
just below Scorpion. (Hope I have the names right.) There is a highly
recommended canyon side hike on river left shortly above Scorpion, which
we missed due to heavy rain. The river came up about 10 feet! And was
full of trees moving swiftly downstream. Fortunately it had dropped
by the next morning, so we continued.
> I believe Fence is the best alternative egress/ingress - supposedly
> easier than Coyote, and about half from the top.
Yes, that's my impression also. But some people get lost on the way up.
> I'd love to see your pictures. I think the trip will be finding its own
> now - there is an segment of the business community in Escalante that is
> outdoor aware and this is really the first good water year since Clinton
> formed the national monument in 1996.
Guess I should write it up and put pictures online. A mile-by-mile guide
would be helpful. Pictures might allow people to relax and not follow
the map bend-by-bend. Campsites seem semi-constrained by the availability
of water. For example, first night at Boulder Creek (clear), second night
across from Indian Springs, etc.
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