Fordyce creek (V)

This is my best favorite run among great classV runs that I have paddled by 2007. This run has lots of hard rapids and drops and is similar to South Silver above the Icehouse reservoir, but different from other classV such as 49toBridgeport (SF Yuba). There are many classV+ rapids where we portaged. The elevation of the putin is ~6,200 feet. In winter, I come to nearby for skiing. Due to snow on the road, the putin is not accessible till June. High clearance 4WD vehicle was absolutely necessary for putin road. James who guided me the South Silver also leaded us, Chris Miller, Eric Gilbert and myself. Some info is available at creekin’.

Dam release from Fordyce powerhouse. When I ran in 2006 summer, flow was 220 and 180 cfs. 220 cfs was enough, but some additional portages were necessary at 180 cfs.


Erasehead. ClassV. Scout left. Paddler was James. Even at 220 cfs, water was shallow. If boats flip, paddlers may make scratch in their faces. I got helmet with face guard for this run.


Old Man, class IV+, scout right. This name is after the mountain peak located in the south of this run.


Insanity Falls, absolultely unrunnable, portage right. Photo taken from the portage path.


Insanity Falls. From the re-putin spot after portaging.


Locomotive falls, nine feet high. Three feet from the left wall was the right line, but the bottom was sticky.


Rotator Cuff, class V, scout left. Paddler was James.


Limbo log. Just below this spot, there is Big Squeeze.


Big Squeeze, class V. The narrowest width of this rapid was almost the boat length. Boat possibly makes bridge in the middle of this rapid. Probably, this is not runnable for rafts.


Where's Barry?, class V. Although we ran it at 220, but portaged at 180.


Bad Seed, class V+, portage right.


In Your Face, class 4+ (IV moves, V danger), scout right. Although we ran it at 220, but portaged at 180.


Fordyce (Split) Falls, class V+, portage right.


The Hole that Ate the Donner Party, class V+, portage right. The bottom hole looked so sticky.


Knobs, class V+, portage right.


Super Slide. ClassIV+. This was like triple slide at South Silver, but much more hard and difficult than that.


Hide and Seek. ClassV-.


Ninja, class V-. Far right was the line. Easy entry, but needed to make quick left turn after the drop.


Upstream view from the takeout. Below this spot, there is 0.1-0.2 mile classV~V+ rapids continued. Very sadly, a paddler lost its life between here and the Spaulding lake in 2005.


From here, we needed to paddle for two miles on flat water against the head wind. Took almost one hour. So hard.