witmore falls henson creek

[lagoonia]

My wife and I were down in Lake City last weekend and I think this might have been posted before, but does anyone know if the upper gorge on Henson Creek and witmore falls at the end of it have been run? That looks like an awesome short stretch of whitewater. There are about 4-5 drops and the waterfall is about 30-40ft. We also looked at the north fork of Henson Creek which looked like it would have good potential.

The firs day we looked at Cinamon Gorge on the upper lake fork and I know people have run the 50 footer in there, but has the rest of that gorge been run? That Gorge is amazing. Its too deep to see into in alot of places. I asked a guy in town who was a rafter an he thought it might have too much wood, but didn't know for sure. There is a double drop 16 footer a ways above the gorge that looked like it would go also. I got a few pictures of that one I will try to post soon. We also stopped and looked at Argenta Falls on the lake fork which is on private propert and I don't think that one is runnable. It looks like its about 70 feet and lands in a pretty shallow pool, but its worth taking a look at none the less. Its kind of BS that the homeowners there can prevent people from seeing such a cool waterfall.

That whole area is phenomenal and has some extremely deep remote and steep gorges and thats just the stuff you could drive to.

[Meng]

Whitmore has been run, probably half a dozen times....some run the mini gorge above (scary because of metal and undercut walls on both sides) and some rap in right above the falls. Either way, once you get to the pools above the falls you are good to go.

Ben Stokes run it in No Big Names 1....

First descent I know of for sure but I've met some others from that area claiming to have run it since back in the day. It is a beautifull drop.

[CGM]

When we were up there this summer, one of the local boaters told us that you could rap into the gorge, and put in at the "pool" above the waterfall. It sure didn't look like much of a pool to me, and my hats off to those that have actually accomplished this impressive manuever. I know its possible, but I still don't see how the hell you could get it done. As for running the gorge above the waterfall, I will leave that to the crazies; its way out of my league now and forever.

[yetigonecrazy]

Henson Creek is one of the most untapped boatable creeks ive ever seen. Ive scouted the whole thing from top to bottom and theres at least four runnable stretches of water on it.

The top stretch from right below Thoreau's Cabin has one portage right at the beginning, then drops over a sweet bedrock slide (15') and then into a small IV before emptying into a long, continuous chute of action all the way down to Rose's Cabin.

The second stretch from Rose's Cabin to below Whitemore Falls starts out with easy III and then goes over a IV+ with a log sticking straight up in the landing, goes for a bit, and then drops down into the gorge. it looks something like this:
Ragnarok- IV+
Slopeside (the one with the maaaad undercut)- V
Mexican Dance Troupe- the falls in the box itself (10-12'?)
Whitemore Falls- 30'

The third stretch goes from the east end of capitol flats to nellie creek. lots of easy waves but with a few IV's tossed in for fun.

And then ultimately the bottom section from nellie creek to lake city.

All in all, a great area to boat. I have pictures of all of the above stretches, so if anyone is curious as the whats there, let me know.

[jpk1080]

my aunt and uncle actually live in lake city, along wiht other family. some of you may even know them if you'r from the area. stop in san juan soda co. their names are doug and carol hartman. i've seen the creek you're referring to though and was always curious if people ran it. we've sectioned lower parts of it. you're right, the undercut walls are def. a hazard and something to watch out far. it seems like whenever we went out, early summer, the water levels were too high to tube. haven't been in ages.

[double-a-ron]

yeti-

i used to live in gunny...do i know you?

-aaron (i was in a blue airhead and yellow gus)

P.S. severe props to those of you who run anything on hensons...those gorges and dams always spoked me a little.

[yetigonecrazy]

i dunno, i havent been on the rivers much around here...i guided for schumacher at three rivers last year but didnt get into 'yaking until i went to the glenwood area last winter/spring, but shoulder surgery prevented me from getting into boating this season. looking to come back next year fully healed. are you still in gunny area or where are you?