Straight Canyon...

2425 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by AW-Evan, Jun 27, 2014

mikesee

Discussion Starter · Jun 24, 2014

...aka Cottonwood Creek, came in this AM.

Currently at 174 cfs, which is what we had last time I ran it.

First 2 minutes of this vid give some idea:

https://vimeo.com/83899471

Fun, creeky III to III+. Hot air, cold water, easy to set shuttle by bike.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Ty Tanner

· #2 · Jun 24, 2014

Straight canyon

mikesee, were you planning a trip out there in the near future?

-k-

· #3 · Jun 24, 2014

Any thoughts on how long this may last? It's been on my to do list for a while.

Sent from my iPhone using Mountain Buzz

mikesee

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 24, 2014

Last year it only ran (at boatable flows) for a few weeks IIRC.

They tend to keep the releases at ~60-70% of what I consider boatable, for months on end. And I like scrapy shit!

I hope to get over there in the next ~week. Could be tomorrow, more likely to be Monday or Tues.

Ty Tanner

· #5 · Jun 25, 2014

Straight canyon

mikesee, are you using the discharge flow rate from joes' valley into cottonwood creek as the gauge that's on the EWCD site. Would that be an accurate gauge for flows through straight canyon.

Ty Tanner

· #6 · Jun 25, 2014

Straight canyon

If flows remain doable, anyone up for a 4th of July weekend trip?

yetigonecrazy

· #7 · Jun 25, 2014

Caught that with ~200 cfs (199.95 to be exact) in fall 2010 when they accidentally stored too much water in the summer and had to let some out in the fall. Crisp blue water, hot summer weather, and a BEAUTIFUL canyon should put this high on many people's list.

Some of the drops had a little bit more thunder than I was expecting, which was nice. Ore Cart is a worthy of taking a quick peek at just so you know your line. good stuff, one of my favorites!

steven

· #8 · Jun 25, 2014

may be up for friday if flows cooperate. anyone?

mikesee

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 25, 2014

Ty Tanner said:
mikesee, are you using the discharge flow rate from joes' valley into cottonwood creek as the gauge that's on the EWCD site. Would that be an accurate gauge for flows through straight canyon.

Yep.

MtnGuyXC

· #10 · Jun 25, 2014

Individual Perspective

Just as a heads up for folks who have never done this beautiful creek. Certainly it's up to each individual to decide what is "In" or not. Without doubt one of the things I find appealing about all the outdoor sports I am involved in; No real rules or laws to dictate what, when & how we approach our fun in those different outdoor arenas... But personally I hardly feel Straight Canyon is what I call In @174cfs. If there wasn't so many other options of good water around I might make that drive for 350cfs. I have only done it from 450 up to about a 1000 cfs & anywhere in that range is truly worthy of the drive. Maybe I'm spoiled...Anyway; to each his own

By the way...1000cfs was definitely stompin & after one long run from the dam down I was pretty content to not do a second lap ha.
Bike shuttle during the week is suggested if you only have one vehicle...You can usually hitch it on the weekends. Enjoy & don't forget your bouldering shoes & pad.

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mikesee

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 25, 2014

MtnGuyXC said:
Just as a heads up for folks who have never done this beautiful creek. Certainly it's up to each individual to decide what is "In" or not. Without doubt one of the things I find appealing about all the outdoor sports I am involved in; No real rules or laws to dictate what, when & how we approach our fun in those different outdoor arenas... But personally I hardly feel Straight Canyon is what I call In @174cfs. If there wasn't so many other options of good water around I might make that drive for 350cfs. I have only done it from 450 up to about a 1000 cfs & anywhere in that range is truly worthy of the drive. Maybe I'm spoiled...Anyway; to each his own By the way...1000cfs was definitely stompin & after one long run from the dam down I was pretty content to not do a second lap ha.
Bike shuttle during the week is suggested if you only have one vehicle...You can usually hitch it on the weekends. Enjoy & don't forget your bouldering shoes & pad.

For badasses like yourself, I agree--350 on up is worth waiting for, and driving to. Although there's no guarantee it'll happen this year.

For noobs like me, sub-300 and even sub-200 are still a great way to gain experience without being gripped the whole time.

Enjoy,

MC

mikesee

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 27, 2014

Got a lap in last night at ~180cfs, and one this AM at 210. Definitely on the low side, but nowhere near mank or ELF flows. Always a clean line, never had to scooch or wheelchair to get through anything.

Water was silty last night, had cleared up substantially this AM, bet it'll be characteristically clean and clear Monday.

steven

· #13 · Jun 27, 2014

are you in a hard shell kayak?

Ty Tanner

· #14 · Jun 27, 2014

Straight Canyon

Steven, he may not have service, pretty sure he's in a pack-raft.

mikesee

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 27, 2014

steven said:
are you in a hard shell kayak?

Nope--packraft. But there were two kayaks lapping it opposite us today, with big grins on their faces.

AW-Evan

· #16 · Jun 27, 2014

This is a sweet canyon for sure with water the color you dream of. Sweet place no doubt. If you have run or end up running this stretch please fill out this AW flow survey. We are working towards quantifying all of the runs in the San Rafael drainage for a greater Basin Wide Colorado River recreation needs assessment. It's the Cottonwood Creek Joe's Valley - otherwise known as Straight Canyon stretch. Thanks!

San Rafael Basin (Black Boxes, Little Grand Canyon, Cottonwood Creek Joe's Valley, Ferron Creek, Huntington and Left Hand Fork Huntington)

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