BJett
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2013
- Messages
- 564
I've been lucky to catch Muddy Creek in the San Rafael Swell with just enough flow to paddle down it 4 times, back in 2005 it ran for a few weeks, some years it may be boatable for a day or 2 if at all. The photos are from a few trips in 2005 and 2009. The season to catch the Muddy is right around the corner, late May/early June if you're lucky, depending on the snowpack and temps.
I've only run the Chute section, I'd like to put-in at Lone Tree Crossing and run it down to Hidden Splendor Mine some day for an overnighter. Tough to catch this gem, I like 300cfs minimum on the Emery gauge. 250 is still fun, 200 is boat abuse. Lots of water is taken out for irrigation upstream. Great camping at Cowboy Camp near Tomsich Butte, and the shuttle isn't too bad. A bike shuttle would work here.
Those annoying biting flies can be a major annoyance, there is a decent campsite up higher before the switchbacks down to the river that seems to avoid the little bastards.
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1861/
Kayaks in the desert? Hondu Arch in the distance.
Cowboy Camp at Tomsich Butte, the put-in.
Pre-Chute
Pretty cool to see this from a kayak...what a treat.
Starting to get really good...
High water mark from the previous days flash flood. A group got caught in here, they made it out but one canoe did not.
Log jam
Out of the Chute
Mouth of Chimney Canyon
It took weeks to get the poop soup remnants off my boat
This is more of a ducky or Alpacka run, hardshells are fine but more room for beer is recommended. Camping is possible, Chimney Canyon being the best option. If you can catch it, hang out for a few days and run it as many times as you can. Its a long day though, be prepared for everything. My first run we had some close calls with hypothermia. It may be 100 degrees at the put-in, but one swim in the Chute could make a good day go horribly wrong.
Another great float trip is the Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael River. Scenic cruising and great camping.
Featured image for home page:
I've only run the Chute section, I'd like to put-in at Lone Tree Crossing and run it down to Hidden Splendor Mine some day for an overnighter. Tough to catch this gem, I like 300cfs minimum on the Emery gauge. 250 is still fun, 200 is boat abuse. Lots of water is taken out for irrigation upstream. Great camping at Cowboy Camp near Tomsich Butte, and the shuttle isn't too bad. A bike shuttle would work here.
Those annoying biting flies can be a major annoyance, there is a decent campsite up higher before the switchbacks down to the river that seems to avoid the little bastards.
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1861/
Kayaks in the desert? Hondu Arch in the distance.
Cowboy Camp at Tomsich Butte, the put-in.
Pre-Chute
Pretty cool to see this from a kayak...what a treat.
Starting to get really good...
High water mark from the previous days flash flood. A group got caught in here, they made it out but one canoe did not.
Log jam
Out of the Chute
Mouth of Chimney Canyon
It took weeks to get the poop soup remnants off my boat
This is more of a ducky or Alpacka run, hardshells are fine but more room for beer is recommended. Camping is possible, Chimney Canyon being the best option. If you can catch it, hang out for a few days and run it as many times as you can. Its a long day though, be prepared for everything. My first run we had some close calls with hypothermia. It may be 100 degrees at the put-in, but one swim in the Chute could make a good day go horribly wrong.
Another great float trip is the Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael River. Scenic cruising and great camping.
Featured image for home page:
