Smith River?
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10187
Printed Date: 03 May 2025 at 9:09am
Topic: Smith River?
Posted By: peteg
Subject: Smith River?
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2010 at 5:54pm
Anyone have any beta on the Smith River in the Cowlitz drainage? Know it's been run but wondering about any recent beta. Heard it was pretty hard or maybe not worth it?
thanks, pete
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Replies:
Posted By: wallyworld
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2010 at 6:54pm
Hey Pete. Sounds like you're talking about Smith Creek. It's the sister stream to Johnson creek (the takeouts are only about 100 yards apart). I've never paddled or walked it, but I work as a helicopter pilot in the upper cowlitz zone and have flown it often. I've never gotten a good look at it when it's running, but it looks every bit as steep as the maps show. The obvious put-in at the FR 20 bridge would give you 1600 feet of drop in about 2.5 miles to Hwy 12. The first bit below the bridge looks REALLY steep. It's smaller than Johnson. I'm sure it has the same season and geology with lots and lots of logs. I do know there are no massive falls. If you go in there let me know what you find. -Brian
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let's go get it
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Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2010 at 5:41pm
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I have been in there and it is riddled with wood, and I mean riddled with wood.
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Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2010 at 5:42pm
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On the other hand it can be walked into and could be looked at. It has been many years since I was in there and it could have cleaned up but I doubt it given the current condition of Johnson creek and other like drainages in the area.
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Posted By: peteg
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2010 at 10:00am
Cool. Just heard about it years ago and was wondering why there wasn't much beta. Don't think I'll be in there if it is really that steep and hard even if it was clean.
Thanks. pete
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