[Darin94518]

Ramping up for a 2023 run on the Eel River, Dos Rios to Alderpoint. Ric Doty the long term shuttle guy moved on a couple of year ago and is hopefully enjoying his Arizona retirement. Donna, who took over his business, has a disconnected phone line. Does anyone have a reputable shuttle service for this run?

Thanks.

 

[Iamquigley]

Very curious to hear a trip report on this one. I went to college in that area long before I ever got into boating and after seeing this post looked up the section and very much would like to run it some day. Seems like some good adventure boating. Hope your search for a shuttle goes well, sorry I can't offer more help in that regard.

 

[kanoer2]

try the Alderpoint Store.. They may be able to refer you. That run is on my bucket list! Have done Alderpoint to the confluence lots & lots of times, nice relaxing 2-3 day trip.

A crazy thought is maybe trying the Lost Coast Hike shuttle guys.

Good luck!
C

 

[j.d.g.]

Any luck finding a shuttle svc? The same stretch is on my radar as well, and I'm not super keen on setting our own shuttle due to the area.

When is your trip? I'm nearby for the next couple weeks and may be able to help

 

[Darin94518]

Thanks JDG. Really looking for something in March. Which is our usual month on the Eel in wet years. I've searched the web a bit for some options but nothing jumped out at us. Kanoer2 thanks for the suggestions on the Hikers and the store suggestions. Lamquigley, it really is a special place. Not real difficult of a river, and realistically not all that remote, but some great abandoned train tracks and numerous train car exposures. Beware though, can be a real real tough take out, as in bring a box dolly, as well its not an area that I would even think of leaving my vehicle out for numerous nights on either end. Take a look at the the movie "Murder Mountain". Filmed in the communities we're talking about. Thanks for the ideas, I've got some time and will share whatever I find out.

 

[j.d.g.]

Have you ever used the access at Fort Seward for the take out? I've read that it's easier, though I have no personal experience to speak of.

I look forward to hearing about any shuttle info you find. I have non-boater friends nearby that may be able to help me if I can put together a trip, but it'll be nice to know what the other options are, if any.

 

[kanoer2]

Yes, be careful where you leave your rig.

Something else to think about if you're not real familiar with the river-drainage and how flashy it can be. Keep an eye on the weather forecast. About 20 years ago a Bay Area canoe group did this run, a front moved in and the river came up, memory is about 8K cfs over night. They ended up hauling everything up to the RR tracks and a rancher hauled them & gear out with a tractor.

Regarding Ft. Seward, have seen groups taking out there over the years. Last time we used the Alderpoint access, river L, we could only drive down to the RR tracks.

C

 

[Beachmaster90]

Ramping up for a 2023 run on the Eel River, Dos Rios to Alderpoint. Ric Doty the long term shuttle guy moved on a couple of year ago and is hopefully enjoying his Arizona retirement. Donna, who took over his business, has a disconnected phone line. Does anyone have a reputable shuttle service for this run?

Thanks.

I really want to run this section this March or April depending on flows/weather. Let me know what you find out about a shuttle. I am considering just leaving my old truck and trailer at the bottom, so if we timed it right I could potentially help you with a shuttle. I just replaced a door on it after a bear ripped it off, so I figure if someone breaks in I can just fix it again haha, as long as they don't steal it...

 

[Nanko]

PM me. I’ve got 2 options, one I can vouch for and the other I have no experience with. Donna and a lady recommended by the outdoor store in Garberville. I set up a December shuttle with Donna; pretty sure she’s around and working the route still.

 

[bryantb]

PM me. I’ve got 2 options, one I can vouch for and the other I have no experience with. Donna and a lady recommended by the outdoor store in Garberville. I set up a December shuttle with Donna; pretty sure she’s around and working the route still.

I'm looking for the same info. I have a number for Donna that a buddy used before, but it doesn't seem to be working now. I'm new here so it doesn't seem like the forum will let me private message yet. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Nanko]

I'm looking for the same info. I have a number for Donna that a buddy used before, but it doesn't seem to be working now. I'm new here so it doesn't seem like the forum will let me private message yet. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

sent PM

 

[Willie 1.5]

My experience in that area is people generally leave stuff alone until it gets a highway patrol sticker on the window, then the stripping for parts starts pretty much immediately.

 

[pdxkayaker]

If anyone finds a shuttle could you please let me know l'd like to run the Eel in March or April 2023. Thank you.

 

[thekernriver]

Me too. I ran it years ago, probably used one of the local shuttle drivers... [email protected] dot (you know the rest)

 

[pdxkayaker]

I found that Black Butte ranch will shuttle vehicles.
707 983 9438

 

[kanoer2]

Eel at Ft Seward today at 60,000 CFS
It's raining!

 

[thekernriver]

I called Tom at Black butte Lodge today. nice guy, confirms that they will do shuttles for the Main eel and also the middle fork. Might be able to secure some access above Coal Mine falls for anyone who wants to take out on a nice class II trip. He is looking into it.

It helps to stay at his place, which seems very reasonably priced and the only campground in the area (even if it does overshoot the put in by 1/2 hour for those driving from 101/bay area.

Black Butte River Ranch CA

he confirms that it is a long hike to/from at both take out and put in. Abandoned cars don;t fare well.

I am of the mindset that it is worth paying a bit more for good shuttles. safety, even access at desirable places on the river, especially if they allow drive to access.

 

[alpngirl]

One of the ranchers around Ft. Seward told me this winter that the Ft. Seward access point is closed to any but folks known by the landowner. I find if you have solid 4wd chops and vehicle, the Alderpoint take out works -- but if you don't, definitely plan to hump your stuff up the hill. Can't say after this year's high flows what condition it will be in, though. And don't run the river at (near) or above 10K!!

Thanks for the Black Butte intel, super helpful. Good place to stay, too. Always a better plan to leave your rigs in the care of a shuttle driver or a local.

 

[thekernriver]

Thanks, Ill see if Tom knows the land owner at fort seward. I don't have 4wd and you are right, probably sketch.Last time a friendly local hauled our stuff out with his rig. Bring dollys.

I have run the river as high as 18k at put in. I knew the river was dropping so I intentionally did not go past the first 17 miles of class 1-II (there is a II that turns into a IV at high water in that upper section)

Also camped at a small but satisfactory site at Island mountain falls waiting for it to drop. it is V at 12K when we got there. it was IV+ at 9K the next morning. ran it left of center.

 

[pdxkayaker]

One of the ranchers around Ft. Seward told me this winter that the Ft. Seward access point is closed to any but folks known by the landowner. I find if you have solid 4wd chops and vehicle, the Alderpoint take out works -- but if you don't, definitely plan to hump your stuff up the hill. Can't say after this year's high flows what condition it will be in, though. And don't run the river at (near) or above 10K!!

Thanks for the Black Butte intel, super helpful. Good place to stay, too. Always a better plan to leave your rigs in the care of a shuttle driver or a local.

One of the ranchers around Ft. Seward told me this winter that the Ft. Seward access point is closed to any but folks known by the landowner. I find if you have solid 4wd chops and vehicle, the Alderpoint take out works -- but if you don't, definitely plan to hump your stuff up the hill. Can't say after this year's high flows what condition it will be in, though. And don't run the river at (near) or above 10K!!

Thanks for the Black Butte intel, super helpful. Good place to stay, too. Always a better plan to leave your rigs in the care of a shuttle driver or a local.

Which gauge at you using? Fort Seward or Dos Rio?