[surlygold]

Does anybody have any info on the Avalanche Creek section of the Crystal? I saw that the level is dropping, and I plan to do it, tomorrow. I was wondering if this is a good level for a class III kayaker. I was also wondering if anybody knows about possible strainers or issues to watch out for.

 

[awille]

I havent been on it lately but there are definitely some near river wide strainers/branches and river braids to watch out for. One visible from road can be run easily on far right if you are aware of it. this is generally a very fast moving run with few eddies. For class 111 id let it come down some more.

 

[AzPackrafter]

Ran it last weekend, perfect for a class III kayaker. I don't remember specifically where but there definitely are 2 or maybe even 3 river wide tree's in braids where you must portage. We put in right below the narrows and if you do as well, take the left line on very first braid, and left line on 2nd braid as right side had river wide tree across water.

 

[jgrebe]

Ran it Sunday at 1,500 and dropping - Avalanche to Westbank. We were in catarafts so maybe had different experience but if you stay in the "main" channel there were no river wide trees. We did see one from the road on a right channel and we took the left so didn't see it on the river. Things are changing though so watch closely on the way up. The bridges are low but no problem for a yaker at this level. This is an extremely fun level and nothing even close to class IV but as one other poster said it is fast, cold and not a good place to swim. I'd say go for it if you are solid III boater with a bomber roll.

 

[Blade&Shaft]

Run the terminal low head dam on the left about half way down the stretch for a good time.