[Schizzle]

Hey Steamboaters,

Was wondering what the chances are of getting an early season run on Willow this year? The gauge doesn't seem to be working anymore...could someone post if it starts running?

Also, last year there were some posts about friction at the takeout with the land owner. Did that ever get resolved? What's the best thing to do if I want to go the responsible route? But, to be honest, I guess I'm not above being a little sneaky as long as no one gets hurt either.

 

[Livingston]

We had to run the Elk down to the main road. A landowner's lackey gave us sh't about parking on what looked to be the shoulder of a public road. But that was 2 years ago. Didn't really matter though, the Elk was swollen and we were glad we did it, there were whole trees floating down. At low water it could be a bit boring after Willow. Careful, Willow had some wood in 2 places that I recall.

-d

 

[thecraw]

livingston is correct (FOR ONCE!!!)

Yeah, in my opinion Willow is a fun tight creek, but depending on how far you are coming from it probably not worth the drive from the front range to just do Willow only. But pack that in with Fish and you will be stoked.

Willow is what I would call a begginers creek. No big drops, but rather tight and as Livingston mentioned... keep you eye out for wood. One place in particular snuck up on us really quick and a guy got pinned under it. Definitely could have been ugly if there wasn't 4 other dudes there real fast.

Elk was HUGE wavetrains all the way to the bridge takeout. But that was also running at biblical levels that day.

 

[progers]

land owner friction

Ya there was some friction alright, I almost got killed. I was cruising along and all of a sudden a barbed wire fence was strung across, I barely caught a get to eddy. That was sketchy shit. Don't worry I solved the problem with a pair of wire cutters.