Cutch - Lake creek info

[ski_kayak365]

Kyle, Donnie and I are planning on running lake creek on sunday or monday. What is it like below 500cfs? Can everything other than paralyzer/brain be run? Care to come join?

Josh

[Cutch]

Below 500 is a wide range of difficulty throughout the run. My general rule is as follows (kinda, this is at least close).

less than 130, not reccomeneded
130-330 Run the bottom 4 only (put in at Brains). Kiss Me is the most likely portage. (V- below 250ish, V to V+ above)
330-450 The bottom 4 are getting really big at places, but the inbetween is great. The top (above Brains) is a little low, but it offers a good warmup to the big stuff.
450 and up. I only plan on running the top (NIMBY and others are fun, watch for wood), and then pick apart the bottom if I feel good. Cauldron is going to be very juicy.

I usually only put-in about a mile above NIMBY, at a large dirt turnout on the left. I know this skips some stuff up top, but its a long run regardless, and I mostly paddled it after work.

I portage Kiss Me often. I've only run it two or three times out of 20+ trips. It's ugly. This is the drop immediately below Paralyzer, with one eddy between the two.

Not going to make it up there this weekend, going to take it easy. Have fun!

[Force]

Hey sk_365

I'm trying to rally a fort collins posse to head up to lake creek monday-tuesday after hitting the big south this weekend. If you're looking for more people give me a jingle 970 988 5502

Leif

[marko]

I believe that the Paralyzer is still blocked by a log at the very bottom notch...the last I heard was that its a NO go! The other stuff has been getting cleaned out by Driscol and company. I think they want to get up there soon to try and pull the log free.

Cutch's info is about as good as it gets. I would add that NIMBY is fun all the way down to about 300CFS, plus the river right boof at the split is clean. If you run the Cauldron above 400CFS (even350) just try and set up rope safety from up above. The eddy's at the bottom of the falls are recirc'n big time...It ain't a fun place to be.

Also, the flows on Lake Creek have a tendency to change in a matter of minutes, so maybe check the actual graph to see if there have been any recent drops or spikes in the flow, or just stay aware.

Have fun!

[marko]

SEE GRAPH...This is what I am talking about with changing flows. They are pumping water over from the Roaring Fork valley and can shut it off at any moment...then only to turn it back on and send more out 30 minutes later.

http://www.dwr.state.co.us/Hydrology...&MTYPE=DISCHRG

[ski_kayak365]

Leif, I've never done Big South, but looking to run it on the 4th. Anychance of a crew going to lake creek sunday /monday then up to South on tuesday? I'm having phone probs right now, but I give you a ring later this week. I've got a campsite above browns canyon fri-sund night as well. can hold 4/5 ppl.

[RDNEK]

Just one more quick thought - most people that I have seen swim on this run swim in one of the two "campground holes" - both you can make you swim - both you run left and boof with a right stroke.

The first is at the first campground and the second is past kiss me below the second campground. Make sure you scout these or at least know where they are.

Also that log in paralyzer is goin to have a short stay (should be out by dark today), the log in NIMBY moved down to the left of the island and is in the sive at the bottom left. You have to run the right boof now.

Finally run safety at the river right wall of caldron - If anyone in your party swims here a rope may be needed to get them out!

Have some good runs and check the level gauge at the low head dam right above the caldron for the level.

[Force]

sk_365, I can't say for sure the big south will run all weekend. there is a good chance the flow could be shut down/reduced soon. still planning on saturday and sunday (ie. get it while you can)

[RDNEK]

Just got back from lake and THERE IS NO LONGER A LOG IN PARALYZER!!!

Also brains and the caldron are clean - at about noon it was 3' or a perfect level.