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jP's Submission - Entered on 12/11/2011 5:51:00 PM
Notes:
Gauge Information (Last updated with USGS at 5/20/2013 8:05:32 AM)
| Gauge |
Forecast |
Height |
Current Flow |
Authority |
Physical Update |
|
Virtual Icicle
|
n/a |
0.5325 |
1477.5 cfs
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3rd Party Gauge
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May 20 2013 8:05AM |
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Minimum Recomended Level: 350 cfs Maximum Recomended Level: 1500 cfs
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AccessYou can put in at 8 mile C.G. if you want to run Ricochet, or you can scramble down from the road and put in below Ricochet. Take out at the Grey Bridge, above " The Seive", or above the diversion dam... There are many access options. |
Putin DetailsWhile many paddlers begin at 8 Mile Camp Ground you can really start anywhere you want. It is common to put in at "RV" and combine the Upper and Middle. |
Takeout DetailsFrom the Grey Bridge down to the Low Head Dam above the unrunnable SNOW CREEK CATARACT, there are several take out options. Just don't go below the irrigation diversion dam. Even Paul Bunyon would get pinned in the Snow Creek Cataract. If you gotta probe it, get footage! |
Fun FactsThis is a great summer roadside run. It can be explored drop by drop or as a whole. With minimal portages and really fluid lines this NW classic will have you back year after year. |
Run Description [Season: Early Spring or Late Summer]The "Middle" section of Icicle Creek or "Ricochet Section" is a great section of difficult whitewater that will test skills in a safer setting than most V-V+. Still, it is very inticately complex and full of surprises. Very technical and pretty much non stop action. Its best to follow someone who intimately knows the run until you get familiar with it yourself.
The run starts off with some bouldery Class IV before coming to a very short pool above "Ricochet" which the run is named after. This 1/2 mile Class V-V+ beast is worth of a thorough scout. Scout it before your run along R. Left. You can get a high vantage point of the rapid's entance on River Right. If you decide to portage, ferry across to R. Left and portage along the road.
Ricochet is long, steep, and complex. Most paddlers tackle it at ELF flows when the boulders are high and dry. At higher flows it is a powerhouse of whitewater. "Ricochet Rock" is a large flat boulder that can be found lurking two thirds of the way down. Most paddlers try to boof it on the right.
The run out of this rapid is so distinctly easier that many consider it a different rapid. This has been called "Son of Ricochet". After the excitement of this awesome whitewater you pass through many more rapids before coming to "House Rapid". Good boaters have gotten schooled here at various flows, so watch your step.
After "House Rapid" you will have a few more smaller rapids before arriving at Speed Bumps. After the bumps you can boogie down to the portage around "The Seive". This rapid is composed of some ugly clusters of boulders that frequently collect wood. Its worth paddling with someone who'll know where it is, otherwise it would be easy to run into blind. It is often portaged on R. Right.
Just below the sieve drop is the entrance rapids to "Horseshoe". Negotiate some technical left to right chutes and boof into an eddy on R. Right. Scout from the granite bench. Unless you enjoy dropping into a boxing ring you can't get out of, you'll probably portage this. Horseshoe is quickly followed by a sweet 100 meters of class IV-V ending with "The Plunge"! Both are constricted, distinct drops that are easily spotted from the road on the way up.
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