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Rivers
Jul 7, 2019 18:09:25 GMT -8
Post by Lamebeaver on Jul 7, 2019 18:09:25 GMT -8
I reckin so.
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davesenesac
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Rivers
Jul 7, 2019 19:02:42 GMT -8
Post by davesenesac on Jul 7, 2019 19:02:42 GMT -8
What makes one stream a river while another is a creek? Is it annual volume of water, drainage basin size, peak period of annual flows, or what they look like during summer? Generally we can say a river is supposed to be larger than streams at least at its lowest elevations however what streams have actually been named here in the West, creek or river, varies greatly inconsistently. In the Southwest with our wet and dry seasons, many rivers that don't drain high areas with permanent snow fields dry up by fall especially after drier winters. Additionally streams may vary greatly as to character and aesthetics depending on what section one is referring to. Here in the West mountain streams generally are much more interesting and aesthetic than our lower elevation streams that are more likely than not bordered by inaccessible private developed lands, levees, range lands, infrastructure, and have reservoirs above in their drainages. The below shows Cherry Creek during mid June 2017 looks much like a river. By fall the flow is usually small.
Here in California there are few lower rivers that still retain a natural look throughout their length but one is the Smith River in the far northwestern corner of the state that reaches the Pacific north of Crescent City. It also has a large average flow volume throughout the year as it drains temperate rain forests, has much natural forest areas, including redwood forests that hold their water longer. The Smith River is renowned for it steelhead trout and salmon runs. I am not at all familiar with its higher elevations that drain the modest elevation Siskiyou Mountains, however there are large zones with no roads or only crudest 4WD roads so it has significant mammal populations including black bears. A highway follows long sections of the South and Middle Forks so is a river a person might easily visit and access. Aesthetics of the river itself that flows through metamorphic rock geologies is good however its heavily forested canyons are not as spectacular as many Sierra Nevada rivers where they flow through our bedrock glaciated high country. Echo who lives nearby knows the Smith much better than I.
Considering high elevation mountain streams, the South Fork of the San Joaquin River with major sub tributaries, Mono Creek, Bear Creek, Piute Creek, Evolution Creek, and the main stream up Goddard Canyon would rate high. Of those smaller streams, my favorite personally that I have backpacked the most into would be Bear Creek. Its lower elevations at 7000 feet contain brown trout with more a mix with eastern brook trout by 8k, that by 9k is increasingly dominated by golden trout as is most of its spectacular headwater basin lakes. Along its length are wonderful pools and much variety.
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Post by starwalker on Jul 7, 2019 19:15:27 GMT -8
The Virgin River at Zion is on top for me. Hiking up the Narrows from the bottom is one of my favorite hiking memories.
I've only floated one river back when I was working at Camp Fred Darby which was a Boy Scout camp in Oklahoma. We took the staff on a staff float down the Illinois River. It was a nice float on the westernmost Ozark river in Oklahoma, although its source is in Arkansas. So the Illinois is 2nd.
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Hungry Jack
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Rivers
Jul 7, 2019 19:45:30 GMT -8
Post by Hungry Jack on Jul 7, 2019 19:45:30 GMT -8
Thread is getting pretentious. Mods, please shut it down.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jul 8, 2019 5:11:34 GMT -8
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balzaccom
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Rivers
Jul 8, 2019 5:23:25 GMT -8
Post by balzaccom on Jul 8, 2019 5:23:25 GMT -8
Phillip, not Doc?
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jul 8, 2019 7:52:51 GMT -8
Personally a fan of the Rogue river...Lot's of variety, reasonable levels of difficulty for rafts and kayaks. I'd say the Deschutes, but that would be bias due to living so close to it and memories. Also a great rafting river.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 8, 2019 8:49:44 GMT -8
I'd say the Deschutes, but that would be bias due to living so close to it and memories. Also a great rafting river. I should have included the Deschutes in my top 10. We celebrated our 25th anniversary rafting it at high water. It was incredible.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 8, 2019 9:39:33 GMT -8
The Virgin River at Zion is on top for me. I don't know how, but the Zion Narrows totally slipped my mind. In Sep 2014 I did the bottom-up dayhike with a friend, turning around at Big Springs (also took the side trip up Orderville Canyon). Without a doubt the most awesome time I've ever had in a river. The next day, neither of us could put our boots on. Our feet didn't hurt, but they were swollen from 7+ hours in a rocky river. Neither of us rented the Canyoneer boots, but I had a pair of 5-10 Water Tennies. Wasn't enough protection or support, apparently.
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rebeccad
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Rivers
Jul 8, 2019 9:49:35 GMT -8
Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2019 9:49:35 GMT -8
Mentioning the Zion Narrows (which I’ve only dayhiked for a short distance, but have to admit I’ll put on my list of favorites) reminds me that I forgot my #1 amazing river experience—the Pariah. I think we spent 6 days hiking that one, and it was amazing. We did a side-trip a ways up Buckskin Gulch, then afterwards went around and hiked down from Wire Pass until we hit a big puddle, so we got a pretty good experience of the place.
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Post by johntpenca on Jul 8, 2019 10:00:18 GMT -8
The Toulumne and Merced as far as rivers go, Streams are my preference as they sing with the wind blowing through the pines and aspen. Rock Creek in the sierra is a fav. The besetest stream I ever came across was in the sierra. Don't recall exactly where it was. Some off trail route I came across a talus field with a stream winding it's way under the rocks. The sound was magnificent as it burbled through the rocks below.
The Hoh is up there, but prefer the alpine streams.
Always wanted to visit Glen Aulin, but have not made it yet.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Jul 8, 2019 11:00:05 GMT -8
I'd say the Deschutes, but that would be bias due to living so close to it and memories. Also a great rafting river. I should have included the Deschutes in my top 10. We celebrated our 25th anniversary rafting it at high water. It was incredible. Deschutes also makes a fine porter, Black Butte.
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Hungry Jack
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Rivers
Jul 8, 2019 11:07:17 GMT -8
Post by Hungry Jack on Jul 8, 2019 11:07:17 GMT -8
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jul 8, 2019 11:59:39 GMT -8
Deschutes also makes a fine porter, Black Butte. I like Black Buttes and I can't deny........
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Post by plaidman on Jul 8, 2019 12:34:19 GMT -8
The Metolius River in Oregon (a tributary of the Deschutes via Lake Billy Chinook), but just typing that I feel pangs of regret for not mentioning the North Fork of the Stanislaus, the East Carson, the East Walker, the Upper Sacramento etc.
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