Clackamas floats

Hilo · 03-08-2002, 08:59 AM

Looking to mooch some information off some experienced Clackamas floaters. I have done searches and cannot get a good time "estimate".

My brother and brother in law are coming down in late april and would like to do a drift for springers. I have been placed in charge of scouting while they supply the boat.

I have been looking into drifts on the Clack. In particular I have been looking at the McIver launch and wondering what would be a good pull out for a "good day" float and are there any hairy parts on the river below McIver?

If you have any other floats to recommend I'm all ears.

Thx

David Johnson · 03-08-2002, 09:11 AM

Upper McIver is pretty hairy. If you put in at lower McIver and float to Barton that would give you a good day. If you can read water it shouldn't be much of a problem. Barton to Carver is another good choice pretty easy water.

Hilo · 03-08-2002, 09:16 AM

Thanks David,

Both of my brothers are experienced but I personally would prefer to stay out of anything hairy, especially since they will not be familiar with the river.

Drachir · 03-08-2002, 05:47 PM

In late April, my suggestion would be to stay lower than McIver Park for your launch. Put in at Barton, and float down to Riverside Park, behind Safeway's Warehouse. That is about 8-9 miles of river, that has some great water, relatively easy to float, and give a full day on the river. Just my .02 worth!! :smile:

stlhdh2o · 04-02-2002, 07:00 AM

Would anyone be willing to post all possible floats on the Clackamas and their degree of difficulty?

Also, what makes the Upper McIver run tricky? Is it low water, log jams, boulder drops etc...

Thanks in advance....

SnoSldr · 04-02-2002, 08:31 AM

I divide the Clackamas in two parts.
My upper is above Estacada. This is all technical whitewater up to class 4.

As far as below McIver Park....
If you put in at the upper boat ramp. There is one class 2-3 right off the get go...easily ran down the middle...the only other place in the park to watch out for is "The mine field" Which is a class 2-3 boulder garden...Not to many clean routes for a drift boat I bet. (I paddle an IK so not a problem there)

There is another class 2-3 at the end of McIver...this one is on the boaters right side of a small island. Easy runner.

Other than those few spots it is mostly gravel bars n class 1-2 ripples n waves.

Feldhiemers(sp) Rd is an alternate put in to avoid McIver. Pretty much everything from Feldhiemer to the Willamette is easy runnin class 1-2. Some shallow gravel bars at low water.

I would recommend getting a whitewater book such as "Paddling Oregon" a Falcon Guide. Avail at GI Joes (I think).

SnoSldr · 04-02-2002, 08:33 AM

ooooops double post.

[ 04-02-2002, 09:34 AM: Message edited by: SnoSldr ]

stlhdh2o · 04-02-2002, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the info. soldier...Is it possible on the technical portions of the floats you described to avoid them by walking around if necessary? I have alot of hours on the oars but I try to play it safe when I am in unfamiliar water...

Anyone else have more to add??

SnoSldr · 04-02-2002, 02:09 PM

I have never seen a drift boat above Estacada...

From Mciver down its all good.
Just like I said in previous post.
When I was cutting my teeth I started with the
Carver to Riverside park drift...
Then the Barton to Carver....then the Mciver to Barton....Just worked my way up river till I was up in the class 3's n 4 of the Upper Clackamas....

I wouldnt take a new driftboat through the mine field in the middle of Mciver though...unless u like dents.