tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91736832011-10-10T16:42:12.413-07:00riversandcreeksStories and Thoughts on River Exploration, Conservation, Research, and Education with a focus on the Pacific Northwest.okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comBlogger481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-25274546593344950172010-07-27T17:58:00.001-07:002010-07-27T17:58:46.067-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.93635 <br> Longitude:-158.60325 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/28/2010 00:58:59 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.93635,-158.60325&ll=56.93635,-158.60325&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.93635,-158.60325&ll=56.93635,-158.60325&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-2527454659334495017?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-86728484049295291582010-07-26T18:30:00.001-07:002010-07-26T18:30:03.488-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.86059 <br> Longitude:-158.5463 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/27/2010 01:30:16 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.86059,-158.5463&ll=56.86059,-158.5463&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.86059,-158.5463&ll=56.86059,-158.5463&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-8672848404929529158?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-72321181835741088342010-07-25T19:46:00.001-07:002010-07-25T19:46:14.938-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.77908 <br> Longitude:-158.54546 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/26/2010 02:46:27 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.77908,-158.54546&ll=56.77908,-158.54546&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.77908,-158.54546&ll=56.77908,-158.54546&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7232118183574108834?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-40246468797122119622010-07-24T17:21:00.001-07:002010-07-24T17:21:32.791-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.71579 <br> Longitude:-158.54327 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/25/2010 00:21:42 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.71579,-158.54327&ll=56.71579,-158.54327&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.71579,-158.54327&ll=56.71579,-158.54327&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-4024646879712211962?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-83776073370867198002010-07-23T19:30:00.001-07:002010-07-23T19:30:17.001-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.68299 <br> Longitude:-158.32526 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/24/2010 02:30:29 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.68299,-158.32526&ll=56.68299,-158.32526&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.68299,-158.32526&ll=56.68299,-158.32526&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-8377607337086719800?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-37651757750160190002010-07-22T20:56:00.001-07:002010-07-22T20:56:28.907-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.76108 <br> Longitude:-157.98782 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/23/2010 03:56:42 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.76108,-157.98782&ll=56.76108,-157.98782&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.76108,-157.98782&ll=56.76108,-157.98782&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3765175775016019000?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-70515450831364293712010-07-21T20:14:00.001-07:002010-07-21T20:14:45.973-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.79423 <br> Longitude:-157.91529 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/22/2010 03:14:59 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.79423,-157.91529&ll=56.79423,-157.91529&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.79423,-157.91529&ll=56.79423,-157.91529&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7051545083136429371?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-74649307214895982762010-07-20T16:29:00.001-07:002010-07-20T16:29:44.642-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.8786 <br> Longitude:-157.92124 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/20/2010 23:29:57 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.8786,-157.92124&ll=56.8786,-157.92124&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.8786,-157.92124&ll=56.8786,-157.92124&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7464930721489598276?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-16981228246788353442010-07-19T19:16:00.001-07:002010-07-19T19:16:58.509-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.91425 <br> Longitude:-158.09918 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/20/2010 02:17:12 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91425,-158.09918&ll=56.91425,-158.09918&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91425,-158.09918&ll=56.91425,-158.09918&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-1698122824678835344?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-79238229226731889482010-07-18T21:11:00.001-07:002010-07-18T21:11:13.369-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.91433 <br> Longitude:-158.0991 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/19/2010 04:11:26 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91433,-158.0991&ll=56.91433,-158.0991&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91433,-158.0991&ll=56.91433,-158.0991&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7923822922673188948?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-38433554184102681102010-07-17T20:48:00.001-07:002010-07-17T20:48:13.056-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.91432 <br> Longitude:-158.0991 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/18/2010 03:48:26 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91432,-158.0991&ll=56.91432,-158.0991&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91432,-158.0991&ll=56.91432,-158.0991&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3843355418410268110?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-54699869258680305842010-07-16T22:27:00.001-07:002010-07-16T22:27:45.805-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.91436 <br> Longitude:-158.0991 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/17/2010 05:27:58 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91436,-158.0991&ll=56.91436,-158.0991&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.91436,-158.0991&ll=56.91436,-158.0991&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-5469986925868030584?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-77993143401735840882010-07-15T20:23:00.001-07:002010-07-15T20:23:46.472-07:00Check-in/OK message from okeefe SPOT Messengerokeefe <br> Latitude:56.92025 <br> Longitude:-158.38785 <br> GPS location Date/Time:07/16/2010 03:24:00 GMT <p> Click the link below to see where I am located. <br> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.92025,-158.38785&ll=56.92025,-158.38785&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.92025,-158.38785&ll=56.92025,-158.38785&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a> <br> Message:We are OK and here's where we are on our Aniakchak trip.<p> <p>Raising the safety factor for millions who step into the outdoors each year, SPOT notifies friends and family or an international emergency rescue coordination center with status messages based on situation and need. Ask for Help (or SPOT Assist), Alert S.O.S., Check-In/OK and Track Progress-all with the simple push of a button.<br> <a href="http://www.findmespot.com">http://www.findmespot.com</a> <p> Looking for a great way to share SPOT tracks and waypoints, stories and photos? Head to <a href="http://www.spotadventures.com">http://www.spotadventures.com</a> and see how users are creating their adventures and sharing them!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7799314340173584088?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-91237231555752938632009-10-10T22:00:00.000-07:002009-10-22T21:36:40.970-07:00Florida Springs and Rivers<div style="text-align: center;">Central Florida is home to some incredible rivers that emerge from crystal clear springs and my son and I recently returned from a week of exploring these special places. After a couple days on the <a href="http://riversandcreeks.blogspot.com/2009/10/oklawaha-river-trip-exploring-old.html">Oklawaha River</a>, we headed up to Gainesville for a day exploring the Santa Fe River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s_1PJiUI/AAAAAAAAB9c/TlyCQPCwHtU/s1600-h/santa_fe_river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s_1PJiUI/AAAAAAAAB9c/TlyCQPCwHtU/s320/santa_fe_river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395291459979675970" border="0" /></a>Enjoying the Santa Fe River, a lazy float along a forested river corridor with several springs that contribute flow to the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_szuk0iCI/AAAAAAAAB80/c0ffETVjG40/s1600-h/ginnie_spring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_szuk0iCI/AAAAAAAAB80/c0ffETVjG40/s320/ginnie_spring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395291252033095714" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com/">Ginnie Springs</a> is a popular destination known for its SCUBA diving. We had a wonderful time snorkeling, exploring the springs, and learning more about this habitat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SuDk3ESPDII/AAAAAAAAB98/V4wLppsMGno/s1600-h/ginnie_fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SuDk3ESPDII/AAAAAAAAB98/V4wLppsMGno/s320/ginnie_fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395563988284017794" border="0" /></a>Watching the fish swim by at Ginnie Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s0vAAnYI/AAAAAAAAB9M/AUR06kCFAWA/s1600-h/lizard_blue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s0vAAnYI/AAAAAAAAB9M/AUR06kCFAWA/s320/lizard_blue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395291269327003010" border="0" /></a>The springs are home to both aquatic and terrestrial life and we had a great time watching all the lizards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s05YCb5I/AAAAAAAAB9U/GA12n7CqiP8/s1600-h/lizard_brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s05YCb5I/AAAAAAAAB9U/GA12n7CqiP8/s320/lizard_brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395291272112140178" border="0" /></a>Another lizard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_tAC7VMcI/AAAAAAAAB9k/rgFAVWofrug/s1600-h/spider.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_tAC7VMcI/AAAAAAAAB9k/rgFAVWofrug/s320/spider.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395291463654650306" border="0" /></a>And a very cool spider<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sz67R8sI/AAAAAAAAB88/f16JZH_IKYs/s1600-h/icheetucknee_springs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sz67R8sI/AAAAAAAAB88/f16JZH_IKYs/s320/icheetucknee_springs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395291255348523714" border="0" /></a>We also got over to <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/">Icheetucknee Springs</a> which is the start of a great river trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SuDk24XXS3I/AAAAAAAAB90/jrrCgZjVibw/s1600-h/icheetucknee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SuDk24XXS3I/AAAAAAAAB90/jrrCgZjVibw/s320/icheetucknee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395563985084304242" border="0" /></a>Peering into the source of Icheetucknee Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s0C09iDI/AAAAAAAAB9E/v8es66ovfDU/s1600-h/jamie_aki_snorkel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_s0C09iDI/AAAAAAAAB9E/v8es66ovfDU/s320/jamie_aki_snorkel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395291257469503538" border="0" /></a>Aki and Jamie snorkeling the edge of the spring in search of fish and turtles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZvV1XtI/AAAAAAAAB8k/qD7HlcdLFcQ/s1600-h/a_springs_source.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZvV1XtI/AAAAAAAAB8k/qD7HlcdLFcQ/s320/a_springs_source.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395290805562072786" border="0" /></a>Alexander Springs is in the <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/ocala/index.php">Ocala National Forest</a> and we were there to check out the river that emerges from the springs which is eligible for Wild and Scenic designation. The river also flows through the Billies Bay Wilderness and the Alexander Springs Roadless Area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sY2ZrI2I/AAAAAAAAB8M/wLqazTFs3AA/s1600-h/a_spring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sY2ZrI2I/AAAAAAAAB8M/wLqazTFs3AA/s320/a_spring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395290790277358434" border="0" /></a>The Ocala National Forest was established in 1908 and is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi. Alexander Springs is part of the St. John's Watershed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZY6ZCOI/AAAAAAAAB8c/7MvTysCtB30/s1600-h/a_spring_aki_canoe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZY6ZCOI/AAAAAAAAB8c/7MvTysCtB30/s320/a_spring_aki_canoe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395290799541389538" border="0" /></a>On a beautiful section of Alexander Springs Creek passing through Billies Bay Wilderness I was reminded of the passage in A Sand County Almanac--"wilderness areas are... a means of perpetuating... the more virile and primitive skills in pioneering travel... one of these is canoe travel." It was a pretty cool way of exploring this incredible place with schools of fish, turtles that dove beneath our canoe, and alligators lurking in the vegetation along the banks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZ05y_4I/AAAAAAAAB8s/9xvjLDiVIRw/s1600-h/gator_subsurface.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZ05y_4I/AAAAAAAAB8s/9xvjLDiVIRw/s320/gator_subsurface.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395290807055089538" border="0" /></a>An alligator sits quietly in the vegetation along the shore all but invisible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZHFfk-I/AAAAAAAAB8U/WbqM8feDGk8/s1600-h/a_spring_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_sZHFfk-I/AAAAAAAAB8U/WbqM8feDGk8/s320/a_spring_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395290794756117474" border="0" /></a>Alexandar Springs Creek with clear water and a beautiful sandy bottom interspersed with aquatic vegetation provides spectacular viewing opportunities for aquatic fauna.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_t434vuDI/AAAAAAAAB9s/4lerunmqdnU/s1600-h/a_springs_snorkel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/St_t434vuDI/AAAAAAAAB9s/4lerunmqdnU/s320/a_springs_snorkel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395292439943559218" border="0" /></a>My son Aki at 4 years old, oblivious to the time, as he snorkeled and explored Alexander Springs all afternoon.<br /><br />Our trip was a great opportunity to visit some different river landscapes with an impressive diversity of flora and fauna unlike anything we are used to seeing in the Pacific Northwest.<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-9123723155575293863?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-15415894827081239712009-10-06T05:53:00.000-07:002009-10-06T08:01:40.068-07:00Oklawaha River Trip: Exploring Old Florida<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">In late September we set out on a journey to explore some of the rivers, springs, and wetlands in the Ocala National Forest. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocklawaha_River">Oklawaha River</a>, a major tributary of the St. Johns, is a wonderful piece of old Florida forming the western boundary of the <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/ocala/">Ocala National Forest</a> it follows a narrow winding course through a beautiful forested canopy. This river has an important place in the history of river conservation as it was originally destined to be the route for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Florida_Barge_Canal">Cross-Florida Barge Canal</a> which was to be a direct route from the Gulf to the Atlantic. The project was ultimately cancelled in 1991 and the right-of-way was turned over to the state to become a spectacular corridor of public land known as the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, in honor of the woman who led opposition to the canal.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_AHoEwgI/AAAAAAAAB2g/3Mbgbh5uH0M/s1600-h/canoe_outpost.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_AHoEwgI/AAAAAAAAB2g/3Mbgbh5uH0M/s320/canoe_outpost.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470650358612482" border="0" /></a>We came rolling in late on Sunday evening to the <a href="http://www.outpostresort.com/">Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost</a> which is at the take-out. The guys there were wonderful hosts and they have some cute little cabins and some nice tent sites on a piece of wooded property right along the river. The next morning they drove us up the river to the put-in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-buGMgFI/AAAAAAAAB14/X_fANWUebIs/s1600-h/aki_paddling_silver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-buGMgFI/AAAAAAAAB14/X_fANWUebIs/s320/aki_paddling_silver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470025030336594" border="0" /></a>We began our journey where the Silver River joins the Oklawaha and paddled up the Silver. We were joined by a number of other paddlers who were out for a Monday morning paddle on this beautiful clear river which emerges from the well-known Silver Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_Be0dpQI/AAAAAAAAB24/GSAub_aXWVI/s1600-h/gator_on_log.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_Be0dpQI/AAAAAAAAB24/GSAub_aXWVI/s320/gator_on_log.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470673764459778" border="0" /></a>We saw quite a few alligators along the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_A4Bz4xI/AAAAAAAAB2w/-MlvO3roTlk/s1600-h/gator_along_river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_A4Bz4xI/AAAAAAAAB2w/-MlvO3roTlk/s320/gator_along_river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470663351460626" border="0" /></a>Just about every patch of aquatic vegetation had an alligator just watching.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-b-ssv8I/AAAAAAAAB2A/xildvONY4Xw/s1600-h/baby_gators.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-b-ssv8I/AAAAAAAAB2A/xildvONY4Xw/s320/baby_gators.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470029486800834" border="0" /></a>And we even found a nest of baby alligators.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstDkLqcdKI/AAAAAAAAB48/4tiAeZTH-qI/s1600-h/turtle_silver_river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstDkLqcdKI/AAAAAAAAB48/4tiAeZTH-qI/s320/turtle_silver_river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389475667964097698" border="0" /></a>Hundreds of turtles along the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstDjGZFNEI/AAAAAAAAB40/Nh7v9pJjupY/s1600-h/silver_springs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstDjGZFNEI/AAAAAAAAB40/Nh7v9pJjupY/s320/silver_springs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389475649369224258" border="0" /></a>Silver Springs through the back door--the best way to see <a href="http://www.silversprings.com/">Silver Springs</a> and although you miss the glass bottom boat ride it was a lot of fun to paddle all the way up to the source of the river and spend time peering down into the spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstAdXyJIWI/AAAAAAAAB3w/uBuRvVL5gsI/s1600-h/gator_silver_springs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstAdXyJIWI/AAAAAAAAB3w/uBuRvVL5gsI/s320/gator_silver_springs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389472252423643490" border="0" /></a>We found this big alligator sitting on the bottom at Silver Springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-c--VjiI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/EV8cNVeeYBk/s1600-h/bird_turtle_silver_river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-c--VjiI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/EV8cNVeeYBk/s320/bird_turtle_silver_river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470046740647458" border="0" /></a>Lots of great bird viewing opportunities along the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-cZh8l3I/AAAAAAAAB2I/MZh5KmYcL60/s1600-h/bird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-cZh8l3I/AAAAAAAAB2I/MZh5KmYcL60/s320/bird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470036689459058" border="0" /></a>Bird along the Silver River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstC4nK1oHI/AAAAAAAAB4k/xqZgQ2w2ANQ/s1600-h/silver_mouth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstC4nK1oHI/AAAAAAAAB4k/xqZgQ2w2ANQ/s320/silver_mouth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389474919433478258" border="0" /></a>The exploration of the Silver River ended up taking most of day and we made our way down to the mouth where the clear waters of the Silver River join the brown-water Oklawaha River. We found a place to camp downstream along the Oklawaha and spent a wonderful evening listening to the sounds of a night out in Florida.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstDimCcCxI/AAAAAAAAB4s/iG91ckfl7YM/s1600-h/oklawaha_brown_water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstDimCcCxI/AAAAAAAAB4s/iG91ckfl7YM/s320/oklawaha_brown_water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389475640684317458" border="0" /></a>Shallows along the Oklawaha River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_B-TpoYI/AAAAAAAAB3A/gCr1fX1Q6rw/s1600-h/gbh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_B-TpoYI/AAAAAAAAB3A/gCr1fX1Q6rw/s320/gbh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470682216767874" border="0" /></a>A great blue heron takes flight down the Oklawaha River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_AVkp4hI/AAAAAAAAB2o/tYXc50j1uEc/s1600-h/flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss_AVkp4hI/AAAAAAAAB2o/tYXc50j1uEc/s320/flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470654102364690" border="0" /></a>Flowers along the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-dWD_N-I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/g2Va6fv6Lww/s1600-h/birds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Sss-dWD_N-I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/g2Va6fv6Lww/s320/birds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389470052938364898" border="0" /></a>Lots of bird life along the Oklawaha River. At the end of our second day we paddled up to the ramp at the outfitter and were on our way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstAeO--LoI/AAAAAAAAB4A/j6gY36YuO48/s1600-h/rodman_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstAeO--LoI/AAAAAAAAB4A/j6gY36YuO48/s320/rodman_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389472267241401986" border="0" /></a>Following our journey down the river we made a stop at Rodman Dam, a remant of the partially-completed Cross Florida Barge Canal, the dam has been discussed as a candidate for removal for many years which would reconnect the Oklawaha River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstAdrtcZwI/AAAAAAAAB34/ycgUZAfqKTo/s1600-h/barge_canal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SstAdrtcZwI/AAAAAAAAB34/ycgUZAfqKTo/s320/barge_canal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389472257772644098" border="0" /></a>A section of the barge canal, a project that was never completed.<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-1541589482708123971?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-11544641502989791572009-08-04T14:06:00.001-07:002009-08-04T14:06:00.469-07:00Descending into the Aniakchak caldera<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riversandcreeks/3757436108/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/3757436108_2b2c70efa4_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riversandcreeks/3757436108/">Descending into the Aniakchak caldera</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/riversandcreeks/">riversandcreeks</a></span></div>A spectacular landscape in the dry caldera of the Aniakchak volcano on the Alaska Peninsula. We set out to explore this seldom-visited unit of the National Park Service in 2009. The caldera itself is 6 miles in diameter with a diverse array of geologic features including streams that emerge from lava tubes, several cones from past volcanic activity, fields of lava, warm springs, and a small lake known as Surprise Lake. Surprise Lake is the source of the Aniakchak Wild and Scenic River which flows through a gap in the caldera known as The Gates.<br clear="all" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-1154464150298979157?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-77334636994025731292009-07-21T17:27:00.001-07:002009-07-21T17:27:35.422-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. Current coordinates on our Aniakchak Expedition. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:58.6932 <br>Longitude:-156.6674 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/22/2009 00:27:40 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=58.6932,-156.6674&ll=58.6932,-156.6674&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=58.6932,-156.6674&ll=58.6932,-156.6674&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7733463699402573129?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-68953268825131946232009-07-20T22:22:00.001-07:002009-07-20T22:22:19.167-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. Current coordinates on our Aniakchak Expedition. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:56.9203 <br>Longitude:-158.1102 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/21/2009 05:22:26 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9203,-158.1102&ll=56.9203,-158.1102&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9203,-158.1102&ll=56.9203,-158.1102&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-6895326882513194623?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-37455810141018847372009-07-19T20:24:00.001-07:002009-07-19T20:24:47.167-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. Current coordinates on our Aniakchak Expedition. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:56.9144 <br>Longitude:-158.099 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/20/2009 03:24:55 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9144,-158.099&ll=56.9144,-158.099&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9144,-158.099&ll=56.9144,-158.099&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3745581014101884737?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-29289873644617003152009-07-18T19:40:00.001-07:002009-07-18T19:40:42.981-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. Current coordinates on our Aniakchak Expedition. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:56.9144 <br>Longitude:-158.099 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/19/2009 02:40:49 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9144,-158.099&ll=56.9144,-158.099&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9144,-158.099&ll=56.9144,-158.099&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-2928987364461700315?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-9468307963074920442009-07-17T18:43:00.001-07:002009-07-17T18:43:11.638-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. Current coordinates on our Aniakchak Expedition. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:56.8927 <br>Longitude:-158.2634 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/18/2009 01:43:19 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.8927,-158.2634&ll=56.8927,-158.2634&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.8927,-158.2634&ll=56.8927,-158.2634&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-946830796307492044?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-79379123307322848672009-07-17T00:37:00.001-07:002009-07-17T00:37:21.045-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. Current coordinates on our Aniakchak Expedition. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:56.9325 <br>Longitude:-158.4261 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/17/2009 07:37:25 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9325,-158.4261&ll=56.9325,-158.4261&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9325,-158.4261&ll=56.9325,-158.4261&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7937912330732284867?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-42727060029115524052009-07-16T15:34:00.001-07:002009-07-16T15:34:22.021-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. Current coordinates on our Aniakchak Expedition. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:56.9352 <br>Longitude:-158.6423 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/16/2009 22:34:27 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9352,-158.6423&ll=56.9352,-158.6423&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.9352,-158.6423&ll=56.9352,-158.6423&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-4272706002911552405?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-49386013093255608132009-07-13T15:58:00.000-07:002009-07-13T15:59:05.127-07:00OK ESN:0-7409027SPOT Check OK. <br>ESN:0-7409027 <br>Latitude:47.6916 <br>Longitude:-122.2888 <br>Nearest Location:not known <br>Distance:not known <br>Time:07/13/2009 22:59:10 (GMT) <br><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=47.6916,-122.2888&ll=47.6916,-122.2888&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=47.6916,-122.2888&ll=47.6916,-122.2888&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-4938601309325560813?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-9057432260805954332009-03-07T22:01:00.000-08:002009-03-07T22:01:14.611-08:00Balance the Load: Look Beyond HydropowerSpecial to the Cascadia Weekly<br />Balance the Load<br />LOOK BEYOND HYDROPOWER TO MEET STATE’S RENEWABLE ENERGY NEEDS<br />BY THOMAS O’KEEFE<br /><br />IN 2006, Washington voters passed Initiative 937, which required utilities to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable sources. Hydropower was not included in this goal. The reason for this was simple: Washington already receives more than 60 percent of its electricity from hydropower, representing more than a quarter of the nation’s total hydroelectric production.<br /><br />Recognizing the need to diversify our state’s energy portfolio, voters sought incentives for development of alternatives to carbon-based sources that would not result in further impacts to our already stressed river systems. This week, however, lawmakers in Olympia are working to amend I-937 to include new hydropower and new dams resulting in further impacts to our already stressed river systems. The majority of amendments seek incentives for “small hydropower.” Sites for large dams have already been developed, but more than 500 sites for small hydropower have been identified the state, including several in the Nooksack watershed.<br /><br />While developers attempt to portray an image of a quaint little waterwheel cranking out the megawatts along a forested mountain stream, a closer look reveals the problems with these projects.<br /><br />Small projects produce very little power relative to the impacts. Incentives for new projects under 5 megawatts (MW) are among the proposals currently in the legislature. If one considers all 323 potential sites that have been identified in the state that meet this standard and if we developed all of them, we could produce a total of approximately 680 MW. This is comparable to one or two wind projects. The impacts would include not only those to the stream but also significant infrastructure that would be required for transmission lines to integrate each one of these little projects, scattered across the headwaters of the Cascades, with the regional energy grid.<br /><br />Some have suggested that because these projects would not have “dams” or “reservoirs” but would instead utilize “weirs” and “headponds,” the impacts would be minimal. Despite the clever use of language, the reality is all conventional hydropower requires removing water from the stream to send it down a pipe and into a turbine.<br /><br />Just a few years ago, we asked our timber companies to invest millions in forgone harvest to protect native trout populations and the integrity of our watersheds. Removing the water from these streams for hydropower would have obvious and immediate impacts on the resources we are<br />working to protect.<br /><br />In addition to the fishery impacts, many of these headwater streams are enjoyed by whitewater kayakers. It is access to outdoor recreation opportunities that makes Bellingham one of the nation’s great cities for outdoor recreation and is a defining feature of the quality of life. Despite claims these projects would be upstream of “conventional navigation,” all of the best whitewater destinations in the region are at risk.<br /><br />Some have also argued that more hydropower is necessary to balance the load from wind power. While our existing hydropower infrastructure is useful in this regard, building new small projects would not help. For the flashy headwater streams representing candidates for new projects, power production is greatest in the spring when flows are highest. This is also when regional power rates are at their lowest due to the overabundance of hydropower on the grid. In fact, this past spring power prices were negative and producers had to pay to place power on the grid.<br /><br />Hydropower is an important part of our state’s energy resources and will continue to be so, but it’s time to diversify to new renewable technology and challenge our elected officials to look beyond the old technology of the past. Let’s not threaten our investment in watershed protection through careless incentives for new dams and hydropower.<br /><br />********************<br /><br />Thomas O’Keefe, PhD, is a river ecologist and the Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director for American Whitewater, a national river conservation organization dedicated to conservation of our nation’s headwater streams and enhancement of opportunities for the public to enjoy them. He serves on the steering committee for the Hydropower Reform Coalition, and on weekends he can be found exploring many of the wild rivers in the Cascades that have been identified as sites for new hydropower projects.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-905743226080595433?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-58164938071974605392008-10-02T12:26:00.000-07:002008-10-05T21:13:12.424-07:00A Day on the Skagit RiverOur raft dropped into Goodell Rapid a wave crashing over the side of our boat as my three-year-old son giggled with excitement. He sat on the center seat next to me, my parents were in the front, and the entertainment of watching Grandma and Grandpa being splashed by the Skagit River was providing more enjoyment than Saturday morning cartoons.<br /><br />The Skagit has always been one of my favorite rivers and a place that I always take out-of-town visitors--for me, the river defines the Pacific Northwest Experience. While a section of the river is harnessed for hydropower, providing a significant contribution to Seattle's power needs, careful attention to management of the river and the hydropower system has provided that elusive balance that is so often hard to achieve. The river itself is one of the most spectacular rivers on the West Coast. It provides approximately 20% of the water flowing into Puget Sound and is home to all five species of Pacific salmon with some of the largest and healthiest wild Chinook and pink salmon runs in the region. Mature riparian forests provide habitat for wildlife including hundreds of eagles that overwinter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Photo_detail_photoid_41845_"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.americanwhitewater.org/photos/archive/medium/41845.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>But the best part about this river is that it is simply a great place to go out and enjoy a day on the water. I have visited hundreds of rivers around the country and I can think of few places that approach the Skagit as an accessible river that provides opportunities for wildlife viewing, world-class fishing, and rapids that provide a thrill for those who want a taste of what the higher gradient rivers of the Cascades have to offer.<br /><br />As I continued the journey downstream with my family we gazed deep into the crystal clear water where we could see salmon on their own journey up the river. A family of ducks pulled into an eddy and a eagle soared overhead. Forests climbed the steep valley walls and disappeared into the clouds above, a tranquil autumn scene as the vine maples showed the first signs of turning.<br /><br />The quiet pace was soon broken as we drifted into the S Bend Rapids, a trio of challenging class III wave trains that represent the most difficult whitewater on the run. Prior to our run I had stopped along the road above these rapids to scout out a line that would keep my passengers dry. I told everyone to hold on as we slid onto the tongue of the rapid--the calm before the storm as the waves churned white just below. I pulled to the left, but my timing was just a half second off as I tried to skirt the biggest wave below which crashed over our boat. We pulled into an eddy below and my mom shook off the water like a wet dog as my son laughed.<br /><br />Soon after our ride through the rapids we pulled into the take-out at Copper Creek. In the early 1980's this was the site for a proposed hydropower project that would have inundated the section we had just run. Today the river runs free and I hope it stays that way. We all use electricity but the river also provides another kind of power--the power to draw one into the natural world, connecting us with friends and family, and reminding us what it means to be alive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Photo_detail_photoid_41847_"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.americanwhitewater.org/photos/archive/medium/41847.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-5816493807197460539?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-13831462665906093122008-08-18T22:58:00.000-07:002008-09-13T13:12:36.754-07:00Western River TourI spend a lot of time in meetings talking about rivers, thinking about how they should be managed, and negotiating agreements that balance the ecosystem services that our nation's waterways provide. It's always good to take some time to go out and see rivers, talk to people who live and work along them, spend time with river managers and business owners, fish and play on the water, and experience the diversity of rivers our country has to offer. With that in mind my son Aki and I set off on a 19 day journey to explore rivers. Here are a few of the places we went.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKph76qT9cI/AAAAAAAABE0/sDr2go1iUNs/s1600-h/post_falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKph76qT9cI/AAAAAAAABE0/sDr2go1iUNs/s400/post_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236105198758524354" border="0" /></a>Day 1: We spent our first day on the road driving through the Columbia basin along the Yakima, Spokane, and Clark Fork Rivers. We made this stop at Post Falls where the Spokane River begins at the Washington/Idaho border at Coeur D'Alene (pictured above). The dam at the falls is part of the hydropower projects operated by Avista along the <a href="http://www.hydroreform.org/projects/spokane-river-p-2545">Spokane River</a> that are currently being relicensed with the federal government.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpjDwSEdqI/AAAAAAAABE8/Etgjkaq7CpY/s1600-h/upper_missouri_river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpjDwSEdqI/AAAAAAAABE8/Etgjkaq7CpY/s400/upper_missouri_river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236106432923072162" border="0" /></a>Day 2: On our second day we crossed the continental divide and entered the Mississippi drainage. We drove along the Missouri River to Great Falls along the route that Lewis and Clark traveled (pictured above). We saw lots of people fishing and floating the river and made a stop at <a href="http://lewisandclark.state.mt.us/sites.asp?IDNumber=9">Great Falls</a>. The falls are altered by a series of dams and reservoirs. We had made arrangements in Fort Benton for a canoe to take us down the Upper Missouri River and launched in the late afternoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2ZOzwlNI/AAAAAAAABAY/MjXsYRkPcd8/s1600-h/white_cliffs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2ZOzwlNI/AAAAAAAABAY/MjXsYRkPcd8/s400/white_cliffs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230287086848873682" border="0" /></a>Day 3: We emerged from our tent on the banks of the Missouri River and spent the whole day floating through the <a href="http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office/UM.html">Missouri Breaks National Monument</a> (pictured above). This is one of the few remaining sections of a free-flowing Missouri River that is completely undeveloped. We followed along with excerpts from the journals of Lewis and Clark and watched the scenic tapestry unfold before us as in a George Bingham painting. (<a href="http://riversandcreeks.blogspot.com/2008/08/missouri-river.html">Read and See More of Our Trip</a>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKplQ0t05_I/AAAAAAAABFE/aMOTTJ4E65o/s1600-h/yellowstone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKplQ0t05_I/AAAAAAAABFE/aMOTTJ4E65o/s400/yellowstone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236108856474789874" border="0" /></a>Day 4: We finished our float on the Missouri River around lunch time and then set out east across Montana on Highway 200. A highlight for Aki was a small town we passed through in Garfield County where they had a cast of a complete fossilized Triceratops that was discovered on one of the nearby ranches. I think we will be back someday to do the <a href="http://mtdinotrail.org/">dino trail</a>. As we headed into North Dakota we crossed the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_River">Yellowstone River</a> (pictured above). At 671 miles it is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 and the principal tributary for the Missouri River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpmw9UNIDI/AAAAAAAABFM/crZ4Mmypgs4/s1600-h/little_missouri.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpmw9UNIDI/AAAAAAAABFM/crZ4Mmypgs4/s400/little_missouri.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236110508050686002" border="0" /></a>Day 5: We had pulled in late the evening before to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/thro/">Theodore Roosevelt National Park</a> along the banks of the Little Missouri River (pictured above). We spent the morning exploring the countryside and scenic geology along the river. We then continued down the Missouri River stopping at the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/knri/">Mandan Village</a> site where Sacagewea and Charbonneau joined the Lewis and Clark expedition. We continued along the river to Bismarck where we set out east along the interstate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpoNSM6yoI/AAAAAAAABFU/881LtMwGOZA/s1600-h/mississippi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpoNSM6yoI/AAAAAAAABFU/881LtMwGOZA/s400/mississippi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236112094205233794" border="0" /></a>Day 6: After a few hours on the road we came into St. Paul and started exploring the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/miss/">Mississippi National River</a> (pictured above). We spent some time along the river and then headed down to Hastings which is a significant site as the first formal proposal for a <a href="http://www.hydroreform.org/news/2008/08/21/in-river-hydrokinetics-faq">hydrokinetic project</a> on the Mississippi River at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_and_Dam_No._2">Lock and Dam Number 2</a>. Hydrokinetic projects generate power through current and the proposed project would be at the outlet of the lock<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIkHdfVYeI/AAAAAAAABHg/QSPRy4Uxnh0/s1600-h/IMGP1122.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIkHdfVYeI/AAAAAAAABHg/QSPRy4Uxnh0/s400/IMGP1122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242792626806415842" border="0" /></a>Day 7: We took a break from rivers but did splash around in Lake Wingra in Madison Wisconsin. Our friends Helge and Laurieann were married and that was the main activity for the day (pictured above). A couple dozen paddlers were present for the occasion and the reception turned into a planning session for future trips and expeditions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCbUdqAmI/AAAAAAAABCA/jLWg4I4jK-E/s1600-h/water_gun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCbUdqAmI/AAAAAAAABCA/jLWg4I4jK-E/s400/water_gun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240966540001890" border="0" /></a>Day 8: The Wisconsin River is one of the Midwest's great river trips (pictured above). I have done sections of the lower Wisconsin several times and it is simply one of the most outstanding canoe trips in the country. The river flows through Aldo Leopold country and several islands and beautiful sandy beaches make for great camping and picnic opportunities. Steve, Paul, and I all brought our kids along and our friend Megi joined in the fun as well. (<a href="http://riversandcreeks.blogspot.com/2008/08/enjoying-wisconsin-river.html">Read and See More of Our Trip</a>).<br /><br />Day 9: I spent most of the day cleaning and repacking the car as we prepared for our trip home. We drove up to the Mecan River and Aki did spend some time splashing in the water with Harry and Jan's dog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKb52phGPRI/AAAAAAAABCs/cfEN3dSSEbc/s1600-h/aki_fish_on.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKb52phGPRI/AAAAAAAABCs/cfEN3dSSEbc/s400/aki_fish_on.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235146334117707026" border="0" /></a>Day 10: I grew up trout fishing and it was great to introduce my son Aki to the sport for the first time (pictured above). The Mecan River is a classic trout stream in central Wisconsin and we were up early so Aki could catch our breakfast. We spent a day exploring this stream in the Fox River drainage (<a href="http://akiokeefe.blogspot.com/2008/08/trout-fishing-mecan-river.html">Read and See More of Our Trip</a>).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpqMzolY9I/AAAAAAAABFc/fj26O86qVUI/s1600-h/kaukauna_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpqMzolY9I/AAAAAAAABFc/fj26O86qVUI/s400/kaukauna_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236114285023028178" border="0" /></a>Day 11: The Fox River was the industrial waterway that transported and processed the timber from Paul Bunyan's northwoods. With some of the oldest hydropower in the country the river continues to be a working waterway (pictured above). The Kaukauna Project is currently trying to negotiate a new license so they can rebuild their power plant and local paddlers contacted me expressing concerns over what this would mean for recreational opportunities on the river. I came out for a site visit with project operators, agency staff, and local stakeholders to learn more about the project and the issues at stake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpq0dQMJjI/AAAAAAAABFk/Kcb4t3CVT1M/s1600-h/missouri.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpq0dQMJjI/AAAAAAAABFk/Kcb4t3CVT1M/s400/missouri.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236114966209898034" border="0" /></a>Day 12: We spent most of the day driving and finally found our way back at the Missouri River, although at a point further downstream than where we had been the week before. We traveled along the section of the river between Gavins Point Dam and Fort Randall Dam which is a beautiful section of the river (pictured above). We plan to come back someday to further explore this section by canoe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU5LklC9I/AAAAAAAABD0/4-NtsN4Yv_Y/s1600-h/fritz_island.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU5LklC9I/AAAAAAAABD0/4-NtsN4Yv_Y/s400/fritz_island.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236090858107112402" border="0" /></a>Day 13: In a region where many of the rivers have been transformed by irrigation and dams, the Niobrara remains as one of the last free-flowing rivers of the Great Plains. It flows east across the northern half of Nebraska before it joins the Missouri River on the border with South Dakota. Aki and I spent a full day on the river paddling over 25 miles, exploring waterfalls, swimming in the river, and generally enjoying this wonderful river (<a href="http://riversandcreeks.blogspot.com/2008/08/niobrara-wild-and-scenic-river.html">Read and See More of Our Trip</a>).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpsC46Kq_I/AAAAAAAABFs/ZAJ9-Xy_H74/s1600-h/niobrara_headwaters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpsC46Kq_I/AAAAAAAABFs/ZAJ9-Xy_H74/s400/niobrara_headwaters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236116313663515634" border="0" /></a>Day 14: After stopping in to meet with the folks at the National Park Service who manage the Niobrara Wild and Scenic River we continued across the state and followed the river to its headwaters. We stopped at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument where the river is just a narrow channel that passed through irrigated agricultural lands (pictured above).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpsgRSfOsI/AAAAAAAABF0/TyocmAily8Q/s1600-h/snake_teton.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpsgRSfOsI/AAAAAAAABF0/TyocmAily8Q/s400/snake_teton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236116818424183490" border="0" /></a>Day 15: We crossed Wyoming and climbed over the pass into the Headwaters of the Snake River, a major tributary of the Columbia River that originates in <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yell/">Yellowstone National Park</a>. We spent the day traveling through the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grte/">Grand Teton National Park</a> where the Snake flows along the base of the Teton Range (pictured above).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIOQIry3-I/AAAAAAAABG8/rCgRVdzaIDY/s1600-h/snake_whitewater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIOQIry3-I/AAAAAAAABG8/rCgRVdzaIDY/s400/snake_whitewater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242768586584547298" border="0" /></a>Day 16: We linked up with my friend Dave who is the Forest Service manager for the Snake River as it flows through Alpine Canyon downstream of Jackson, WY (pictured above). Dave and his wife took their young daughter and my son Aki down in a raft. I had an opportunity to kayak and we all had a great day on the water. Legislation is pending in Congress to designate the Snake and major tributaries under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (learn more about the <a href="http://www.snakeheadwaters.org/index.php">Campaign for the Snake Headwaters</a>). Time is running short to pass the legislation in this Congress but it has been packaged with a number of public river and land bills under the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008 (S. 3213).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIN8giB0sI/AAAAAAAABGs/m8t9qWTEr0c/s1600-h/grand_yellowstone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIN8giB0sI/AAAAAAAABGs/m8t9qWTEr0c/s400/grand_yellowstone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242768249388651202" border="0" /></a>Day 17: From a river perspective Yellowstone is a pretty fascinating place. Rivers that include the Missouri, Snake, and Yellowstone all have their origin in the Park. We spent the day exploring the Yellowstone River, which we had crossed earlier in the trip closer to its mouth with the Missouri. The overlook at Artist's Point is one of my favorite places in any of our National Parks (pictured above). The place is significant because the dramatic view was captured by Thomas Moran in vivid paintings that were an instrumental component of Congressional testimony that led to the creation of our nation's first national park in 1872. Congress appropriated $10,000 for the purchase of Moran's painting, The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone which now hangs in the Renwick Museum just a couple blocks from the Whitehouse.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIN8gYpSeI/AAAAAAAABGk/Aw5mH2OjyTs/s1600-h/geyser.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SMIN8gYpSeI/AAAAAAAABGk/Aw5mH2OjyTs/s400/geyser.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242768249349294562" border="0" /></a>Day 18: We had plans to travel out along the Firehole River which is a major tributary of the Madison which then becomes the Missouri. The headwaters are well known for the famous geysers of Yellowstone and we were lucky enough to catch Beehive Geyser as we were passing through (pictured above). It is one of the most impressive geysers in the Park and we enjoyed a great show. We headed back to Missoula crossing over the divide into the Clark Fork drainage. Along the way we passed the massive restoration effort where Milltown Dam is being removed and the confluence of the Blackfoot with the Clark Fork is being restored (a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISLInzprz3M">Video</a> from my colleague who filmed the restoration of flow to the river channel). I finished off the day with my friend Molly and a paddling trip through Alberton Gorge. Aki spent the evening learning to skip rocks with Kevin.<br /><br />Day 19: Our last day on the road, Aki and I stopped in to meet with our friends from <a href="http://www.wildsalmon.org/">Save Our Wild Salmon</a> and talked about recreational opportunities a restored Snake River might provide. Aki splashed about in the Spokane River and then we cruised across the state and were home in time for dinner.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-1383146266590609312?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-41990891373426957982008-08-18T21:22:00.001-07:002008-08-26T00:37:00.564-07:00Niobrara Wild and Scenic RiverIn a region where many of the rivers have been transformed by irrigation and dams, the <a href="http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_detail_id_5729_">Niobrara</a> remains as one of the last free-flowing rivers of the Great Plains. It flows east across the northern half of Nebraska before it joins the Missouri River on the border with South Dakota.<br /><br />On a cross country tour of rivers, my son and I spent a couple days exploring the Niobrara. We camped out at <a href="http://www.rockbarnoutfitters.com/">Rock Barn</a> and then got a shuttle up to the start at Cornell Bridge which is a popular put-in for canoe trips.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU6cZ8ByI/AAAAAAAABEE/glWY6jLmbl4/s1600-h/niobrara_cliffs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU6cZ8ByI/AAAAAAAABEE/glWY6jLmbl4/s400/niobrara_cliffs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236090879805753122" border="0" /></a>The river starts out in the Congressionally designated Wilderness within the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/fortniobrara/">Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpZVKPAIWI/AAAAAAAABEc/9ozA8qa-EpU/s1600-h/waterfall_aki.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpZVKPAIWI/AAAAAAAABEc/9ozA8qa-EpU/s400/waterfall_aki.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236095736831025506" border="0" /></a>My son Aki enjoyed the dozens of waterfalls that cascade into the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU7FuJ8uI/AAAAAAAABEM/daFudTfUbf4/s1600-h/smith_falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU7FuJ8uI/AAAAAAAABEM/daFudTfUbf4/s400/smith_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236090890896405218" border="0" /></a>The biggest waterfall on the river and in fact the tallest in Nebraska is Smith Falls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU7rkKZkI/AAAAAAAABEU/U6245X3T5YE/s1600-h/smith_falls_aki.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU7rkKZkI/AAAAAAAABEU/U6245X3T5YE/s400/smith_falls_aki.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236090901055039042" border="0" /></a>My son Aki playing at the base of Smith Falls with dozens of other little kids out enjoying the river. There's been a lot of discussion regarding the need to get kids in the outdoors. My idea: Give them all water cannons, buckets, and turn them loose on a river like the Niobrara. They were all having a great time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU5LklC9I/AAAAAAAABD0/4-NtsN4Yv_Y/s1600-h/fritz_island.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU5LklC9I/AAAAAAAABD0/4-NtsN4Yv_Y/s400/fritz_island.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236090858107112402" border="0" /></a>Give a guy a beer, put him in a boat, and he'll run anything. Here a paddler runs the right side ledge at Fritz's Island which is generally discouraged by those renting out the boats (they ask you to take the easier left side channel).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU6GaM4sI/AAAAAAAABD8/_-LjxEUtfAc/s1600-h/kicking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKpU6GaM4sI/AAAAAAAABD8/_-LjxEUtfAc/s400/kicking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236090873901277890" border="0" /></a>My son abandoning the paddle for something a little more dynamic--kicking the boat down the river or maybe it was just around in circles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SLOuC1AVwRI/AAAAAAAABGE/P82rpZyVdto/s1600-h/upper_niobrara.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SLOuC1AVwRI/AAAAAAAABGE/P82rpZyVdto/s400/upper_niobrara.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238722155173495058" border="0" /></a>After paddling about 30 miles of the Wild and Scenic section we traveled across the state and explored the headwaters where the river is little more than a irrigation ditch flowing through agricultural lands bordered by an arid landscape.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SLOuC6lW9zI/AAAAAAAABF8/iM_-bNIcUhw/s1600-h/niobrara_irrigation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SLOuC6lW9zI/AAAAAAAABF8/iM_-bNIcUhw/s400/niobrara_irrigation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238722156670940978" border="0" /></a>The river provides water for irrigation but as it sprays into the air flows on the section we enjoyed downstream are diminished. The National Park Service recently conducted a study of instream flow needs for recreation. As demand for irrigation water continues to increase the spectacular and regionally significant recreational opportunities could be lost.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-4199089137342695798?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-63444657091414672222008-08-14T12:57:00.001-07:002008-08-14T12:57:41.421-07:00Enjoying the Wisconsin RiverI've done a lot of river trips around the country and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_River">Wisconsin River</a> is one of my favorites for just hanging out and enjoying the river. Great beaches, warm water, fun people watching, and almost 100 miles of free-flowing river to explore. My son and I were on a trip across the country visiting rivers and we joined up with some of our friends for a day trip and picnic on the sandy beaches.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCGG_5LXI/AAAAAAAABBA/YOQWFY_-y5E/s1600-h/canoes_on_wisconsin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCGG_5LXI/AAAAAAAABBA/YOQWFY_-y5E/s400/canoes_on_wisconsin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240602148253042" border="0" /></a>On hot summer days hundreds of canoes travel down the river. There are several outfitters along the river but Wisconsin is a state with a rich canoe culture and it seems that just about everyone has an old aluminum Grumman under a tarp in the backyard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUNLuHXI/AAAAAAAABBY/qFgYuX6pbDw/s1600-h/kids_canoe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUNLuHXI/AAAAAAAABBY/qFgYuX6pbDw/s400/kids_canoe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240844326641010" border="0" /></a>Charlie, Maria, and Aki all piled into a canoe together and had a great time floating down the river together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCbUdqAmI/AAAAAAAABCA/jLWg4I4jK-E/s1600-h/water_gun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCbUdqAmI/AAAAAAAABCA/jLWg4I4jK-E/s400/water_gun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240966540001890" border="0" /></a>It wasn't long before Charlie was showing off proper technique with his water canon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCFymVa1I/AAAAAAAABAo/znpWFgYQfl8/s1600-h/aki_charlie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCFymVa1I/AAAAAAAABAo/znpWFgYQfl8/s400/aki_charlie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240596672342866" border="0" /></a>Armed and ready for action the boys fired at each other and ran themselves to exhaustion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUS9gsvI/AAAAAAAABBw/FKRI4kAq4TE/s1600-h/shooting_fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUS9gsvI/AAAAAAAABBw/FKRI4kAq4TE/s400/shooting_fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240845877654258" border="0" /></a>The boys found little fish and freshwater clams and everything became a target.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCF4XC8lI/AAAAAAAABAw/xWYj4HcwolQ/s1600-h/aki_megi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCF4XC8lI/AAAAAAAABAw/xWYj4HcwolQ/s400/aki_megi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240598218830418" border="0" /></a>Including women out trying to enjoy the sun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCGH06ByI/AAAAAAAABA4/nXAoW6audDs/s1600-h/aki_water_gun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCGH06ByI/AAAAAAAABA4/nXAoW6audDs/s400/aki_water_gun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240602370606882" border="0" /></a>And here he comes after the camera man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUOyZPhI/AAAAAAAABBg/5SF3lKd_Lrc/s1600-h/maria_sand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUOyZPhI/AAAAAAAABBg/5SF3lKd_Lrc/s400/maria_sand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240844757286418" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile Maria kept out of the cross fire and enjoyed playing in the sand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUaX6ngI/AAAAAAAABBo/gF7gkZg8nyk/s1600-h/megi_beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUaX6ngI/AAAAAAAABBo/gF7gkZg8nyk/s400/megi_beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240847867452930" border="0" /></a>The beaches are a highlight of this river and spring floods wash them clean and redistribute the sand every year. While many large floodplain rivers have highly regulated flow regimes and encroachment of vegetation that crowds out open sandy beaches, the Wisconsin still has a dynamic flow regime along its lower reaches.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUCF5irI/AAAAAAAABBQ/3-R5HbWT_Ts/s1600-h/charlie_floating.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCUCF5irI/AAAAAAAABBQ/3-R5HbWT_Ts/s400/charlie_floating.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240841349434034" border="0" /></a>Megi and Paul hanging out the river. Although we were just out on a day trip, you can easily spend several days out on the water and camp on one of the many islands along the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCbIO4KyI/AAAAAAAABB4/kT1rDXVqRr4/s1600-h/steve_maria.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCbIO4KyI/AAAAAAAABB4/kT1rDXVqRr4/s400/steve_maria.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240963256789794" border="0" /></a>Steve enjoying a moment with his daughter Maria as he paddles down the Wisconsin River.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCGVR4vGI/AAAAAAAABBI/U58hd8EBT8s/s1600-h/canoes_on_wisonsin_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SKPCGVR4vGI/AAAAAAAABBI/U58hd8EBT8s/s400/canoes_on_wisonsin_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234240605981817954" border="0" /></a>The masses out for a day on the water. With forested shores, numerous public access points, and great camping and picnic sites along the way, paddlers of all stripes can enjoy their journey down this great river.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-6344465709141467222?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-46738212074915165652008-08-03T06:37:00.001-07:002008-08-14T12:17:32.896-07:00Missouri RiverRecently my son Aki and I went on a tour of Western rivers. A highlight of our trip was a journey through <a href="http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office/UM.html">Missouri Breaks National Monument</a> on the Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River. Congress designated the Wild and Scenic river in 1976 and President Clinton established the National Monument in 2001. Lewis and Clark followed the Missouri River on their journey west and it is about the only long section left that has not been extensively developed or inundated by reservoirs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2Y6ALYBI/AAAAAAAABAQ/UlLj7dMgxSg/s1600-h/tom_aki.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2Y6ALYBI/AAAAAAAABAQ/UlLj7dMgxSg/s400/tom_aki.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230287081263816722" border="0" /></a>Aki and I on the banks of the Missouri River. We spent three days on the Upper Missouri River from Coal Banks Landing (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=48.0321,+-110.2350&ie=UTF8&ll=48.032226,-110.234993&spn=0.006959,0.016694&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr">48.0321, -110.2350</a>) to Judith Landing (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=47.7388,+-109.6230&ie=UTF8&ll=47.738934,-109.622998&spn=0.006999,0.016694&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr">47.7388, -109.6230</a>).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2ZKw8MWI/AAAAAAAABAg/7k_K3AMMQys/s1600-h/white_cliffs_entrance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2ZKw8MWI/AAAAAAAABAg/7k_K3AMMQys/s400/white_cliffs_entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230287085763309922" border="0" /></a>Entering the White Cliffs section of the Missouri River, one of the most scenic sections of the river at Eagle Creek (47.9128, -110.0580). This is the most popular camping area along the river and the site of Lewis and Clark's camp on May 31, 1805.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2ZOzwlNI/AAAAAAAABAY/MjXsYRkPcd8/s1600-h/white_cliffs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2ZOzwlNI/AAAAAAAABAY/MjXsYRkPcd8/s400/white_cliffs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230287086848873682" border="0" /></a>The White Cliffs of the Missouri. Over 200 years ago Lewis wrote, "<span class="WideParrichtexteditorText">The hills and river Clifts which we passed today exhibit a most romantic appearance.... The bluffs of the river rise to hight of from 2 to 300 feet and in most places nearly perpendicular; they are formed of remarkable white sandstone which is sufficiently soft to give way readily to the impression of water..."</span><br /><span class="WideParrichtexteditorText"></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW06DswkbI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/pTPWaRECdp0/s1600-h/aki_echo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW06DswkbI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/pTPWaRECdp0/s400/aki_echo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285451779150258" border="0" /></a>My son Aki yelling up at the cliffs and listening to the echo. This approach did not result in many wildlife viewing opportunities but Aki had announced at the beginning of the trip that he wanted to see a snake, bugs, and fish which we accomplished. We even saw a beaver emerge from his lodge one evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1G1IBHuI/AAAAAAAAA_A/2crb5ItHCXc/s1600-h/canoeists_white_cliffs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1G1IBHuI/AAAAAAAAA_A/2crb5ItHCXc/s400/canoeists_white_cliffs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285671205248738" border="0" /></a>A pair of canoes pass beneath the shadow of LeBarge Rock. It is an intrusion of dark igneous shonkinite named for one of the river's steamboat captains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2KeBzT9I/AAAAAAAABAA/5AMCoG4kRjU/s1600-h/narrows_hike_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2KeBzT9I/AAAAAAAABAA/5AMCoG4kRjU/s400/narrows_hike_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230286833236266962" border="0" /></a>The hike up Neats Coulee sometimes called "The Narrows" is highly recommended and we had a great time exploring this slot canyon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2KA40z_I/AAAAAAAAA_4/kK9uBJeC_UY/s1600-h/narrows_hike_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2KA40z_I/AAAAAAAAA_4/kK9uBJeC_UY/s400/narrows_hike_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230286825413988338" border="0" /></a>This hike takes you right into the Virgelle Sandstone formations along the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW06vFAkuI/AAAAAAAAA-w/LinTL6dd_2o/s1600-h/butterfly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW06vFAkuI/AAAAAAAAA-w/LinTL6dd_2o/s400/butterfly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285463423587042" border="0" /></a>A butterfly we saw on our hike up the Narrows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1HE7nm3I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/9yY3NROAgxc/s1600-h/cottonwood.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1HE7nm3I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/9yY3NROAgxc/s400/cottonwood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285675448212338" border="0" /></a>The river flows through open grasslands and one needs to be on guard for rattlesnakes--we came across a large one. Once harvested as fuel for steamboats on the river, the cottonwoods have come back in beautiful groves along the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2J0RcDZI/AAAAAAAAA_w/Zztb914Rr38/s1600-h/grand_national_wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2J0RcDZI/AAAAAAAAA_w/Zztb914Rr38/s400/grand_national_wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230286822027562386" border="0" /></a>Grand National Wall is a vertical shonkinite dike that intruded into the sandstone which has eroded away. I highly recommend Schumacher and Woodward's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Geologic-Missouri-National-Monument/dp/0974896705">Magnificent Journey</a> which chronicles the geology of the Missouri Breaks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2Jv5cgBI/AAAAAAAAA_g/ZgsIsi5qfQk/s1600-h/cows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2Jv5cgBI/AAAAAAAAA_g/ZgsIsi5qfQk/s400/cows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230286820853186578" border="0" /></a>The river flows through rangeland so as is characteristic of many rivers across the west you see a fair number of cattle along the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2JxDJu8I/AAAAAAAAA_o/Fxuox5NiwaU/s1600-h/dark_butte.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2JxDJu8I/AAAAAAAAA_o/Fxuox5NiwaU/s400/dark_butte.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230286821162335170" border="0" /></a>Dark Butte is another shonkinite plug that rises up through the sandstone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1G7FFX7I/AAAAAAAAA_I/foGeRIde0fw/s1600-h/citadel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1G7FFX7I/AAAAAAAAA_I/foGeRIde0fw/s400/citadel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285672803557298" border="0" /></a>The Citadel, captured in a well known illustration by Swiss artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Bodmer">Karl Bodmer</a> in his early explorations of the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1GmvZrEI/AAAAAAAAA-4/mxzZGe5bzgs/s1600-h/canoeists.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1GmvZrEI/AAAAAAAAA-4/mxzZGe5bzgs/s400/canoeists.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285667343903810" border="0" /></a>A canoe traveling down the river. The tranquil pace evokes images and feelings that one has entered a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Caleb_Bingham">George Bingham</a> painting. There are few places that one can directly experience the landscapes of the American West captured in 19th century American Art but the Missouri Breaks is one of those places.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1G1vKHaI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/tpLeohNjW0I/s1600-h/cliffs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW1G1vKHaI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/tpLeohNjW0I/s400/cliffs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285671369416098" border="0" /></a>Passing beneath the cliffs as we make our way down to the confluence with the Judith River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW06Ul8VXI/AAAAAAAAA-g/xnJ2hjg2c8Y/s1600-h/aki_floating.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW06Ul8VXI/AAAAAAAAA-g/xnJ2hjg2c8Y/s400/aki_floating.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230285456313963890" border="0" /></a>Aki enjoyed the warm waters of the Missouri River and hopped out of the canoe a couple times to just float along with the current.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2YqVt5fI/AAAAAAAABAI/-XKMqh3KFpk/s1600-h/sunset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SJW2YqVt5fI/AAAAAAAABAI/-XKMqh3KFpk/s400/sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230287077059192306" border="0" /></a>Sunset over the Missouri River.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-4673821207491516565?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-90189927698428977152008-07-06T18:06:00.000-07:002008-07-06T18:22:28.451-07:00Exploring the Upper Delaware Wild and Scenic River<div style="text-align: center;">My son Aki was with me to visit the grandparents in upstate New York and we decided to take a day and explore the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/upde">Upper Delaware Wild and Scenic River</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJ6tVk5I/AAAAAAAAA4M/TF-1tlg8l_o/s1600-h/delaware_hancock_sign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJ6tVk5I/AAAAAAAAA4M/TF-1tlg8l_o/s400/delaware_hancock_sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220073460244779922" border="0" /></a>We drove down to Hancock, a little over an hour south from my hometown and worked our way down the river to <a href="http://www.soaringeaglecampground.com/">Soaring Eagle Campground</a> where we parked our car and arranged for a canoe rental and shuttle up to the put-in at the Lordville Bridge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtKNDbmJI/AAAAAAAAA4U/nq6Mfcycvmw/s1600-h/delaware_river_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtKNDbmJI/AAAAAAAAA4U/nq6Mfcycvmw/s400/delaware_river_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220073465169287314" border="0" /></a>Looking downstream on the Upper Delaware. The section from Lordville to Kellams that we paddled is relatively calm. Despite the placid nature of the river surface, you could look down to the bottom of the river and see that the current carried us along at a good pace. Aki was able to see some fish in the exceptionally clear water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJD1ao5I/AAAAAAAAA30/tsjpZ3IYM1I/s1600-h/aki_canoe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJD1ao5I/AAAAAAAAA30/tsjpZ3IYM1I/s400/aki_canoe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220073445514716050" border="0" /></a>Aki paddling down the Delaware River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtRo8uwOI/AAAAAAAAA4c/eKGt3hSMQJ8/s1600-h/delaware_river_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtRo8uwOI/AAAAAAAAA4c/eKGt3hSMQJ8/s400/delaware_river_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220073592916459746" border="0" /></a>Approaching one of the riffles on this section.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJN8sgjI/AAAAAAAAA38/zBQZ4fPC5SY/s1600-h/aki_fishing_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJN8sgjI/AAAAAAAAA38/zBQZ4fPC5SY/s400/aki_fishing_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220073448229601842" border="0" /></a>Aki is just learning to fish and we took our poles along but didn't have much luck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJWGL30I/AAAAAAAAA4E/FaHuZRFmnFw/s1600-h/aki_fishing_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtJWGL30I/AAAAAAAAA4E/FaHuZRFmnFw/s400/aki_fishing_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220073450416889666" border="0" /></a>Aki waiting patiently with his fly rod.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtR0DWXjI/AAAAAAAAA4k/_UBtKWt_5EA/s1600-h/turtle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SHFtR0DWXjI/AAAAAAAAA4k/_UBtKWt_5EA/s400/turtle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220073595897011762" border="0" /></a>A highlight of the trip for Aki was all the creatures we found along the margins of the river along with the bird life which included a bald eagle siting. Here Aki holds a baby snapping turtle on the end of his paddle blade.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-9018992769842897715?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-76215065890352153602008-05-27T21:59:00.001-07:002008-07-06T18:22:48.132-07:00John Day Wild and Scenic River<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">With the arrival of spring it's time to celebrate the melting snow that breathes life into our region's rivers. While many of the rivers that have defined the natural and cultural history of the region been dammed for hydropower, flood control, or water supply, a few still flow freely and the John Day in Central Oregon is one of those rivers. The John Day is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Wild_and_Scenic_Rivers">Wild and Scenic River</a>, a federal designation that protects rivers from future water development projects and preserves the opportunity to journey down our nation's original highways of travel and commerce. This year celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and Aki and I set out to explore the canyons of the John Day with friends from Portland on a 4 day trip (<a href="http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_detail_id_3034_">river description</a>).<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdR5pR1FI/AAAAAAAAAy4/tzQyivCOFsk/s1600-h/aki_oars.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdR5pR1FI/AAAAAAAAAy4/tzQyivCOFsk/s400/aki_oars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278568934921298" border="0" /></a>At age 3 Aki is becoming quite the veteran river runner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdippR1KI/AAAAAAAAAzg/VLeJaQJC1_Q/s1600-h/john_day_canyon_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdippR1KI/AAAAAAAAAzg/VLeJaQJC1_Q/s400/john_day_canyon_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278856697730210" border="0" /></a>Beautiful canyon scenery on the John Day River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdoppR1MI/AAAAAAAAAzw/wlbxpAleptc/s1600-h/story_time.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdoppR1MI/AAAAAAAAAzw/wlbxpAleptc/s400/story_time.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278959776945346" border="0" /></a>Story time with river friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzki5pR1NI/AAAAAAAAA0U/PxMjnMkmFwo/s1600-h/john_day_canyon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzki5pR1NI/AAAAAAAAA0U/PxMjnMkmFwo/s400/john_day_canyon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205286557574091986" border="0" /></a>Traveling down the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdiJpR1HI/AAAAAAAAAzI/iu4AJiLHWqY/s1600-h/aki_rowing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdiJpR1HI/AAAAAAAAAzI/iu4AJiLHWqY/s400/aki_rowing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278848107795570" border="0" /></a>Carefully scouting out the line downstream before committing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdiZpR1II/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Cjecgr3E1ng/s1600-h/hoot_owl_rock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdiZpR1II/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Cjecgr3E1ng/s400/hoot_owl_rock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278852402762882" border="0" /></a>The John Day River has some great geology that kids can appreciate. Aki's favorite was Hoot Owl Rock.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdRppR1CI/AAAAAAAAAyg/RxW5iQ7FpBA/s1600-h/aki_climb_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdRppR1CI/AAAAAAAAAyg/RxW5iQ7FpBA/s400/aki_climb_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278564639953954" border="0" /></a>The John Day offers some great riverside hiking and Aki imagined himself as a tiger climbing to an overlook above the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdR5pR1DI/AAAAAAAAAyo/1p6nhHjSvDg/s1600-h/aki_climb_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdR5pR1DI/AAAAAAAAAyo/1p6nhHjSvDg/s400/aki_climb_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278568934921266" border="0" /></a>Aki working his way through the rocks to an overlook above the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdi5pR1LI/AAAAAAAAAzo/W767DKn5YVU/s1600-h/john_day_view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdi5pR1LI/AAAAAAAAAzo/W767DKn5YVU/s400/john_day_view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278860992697522" border="0" /></a>The view downstream.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdSJpR1GI/AAAAAAAAAzA/VLY6yNG4zSU/s1600-h/aki_row_dino.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdSJpR1GI/AAAAAAAAAzA/VLY6yNG4zSU/s400/aki_row_dino.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278573229888610" border="0" /></a>Aki heading down the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdR5pR1EI/AAAAAAAAAyw/r34bETteLqo/s1600-h/aki_nap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SDzdR5pR1EI/AAAAAAAAAyw/r34bETteLqo/s400/aki_nap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205278568934921282" border="0" /></a>All this boating and hiking sure is a lot of work. Time for a nap on the raft.<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7621506589035215360?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-22567721619622452492008-05-11T08:59:00.000-07:002008-05-11T17:46:55.534-07:00Fishing the Sea of Cortez<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I spend most of my time on rivers but every once in a while the ocean calls and when my friend Harry suggested a week long fishing trip to the Sea of Cortez on the fishing boat <a href="http://www.tonyreyes.com/">Tony Reyes</a>, I decided that it had all the makings of a good adventure.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnp6iZBfI/AAAAAAAAAxg/_yGU6nGeZwk/s1600-h/san_felipe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnp6iZBfI/AAAAAAAAAxg/_yGU6nGeZwk/s400/san_felipe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167895864149490" border="0" /></a>I flew down to San Diego on Friday where I joined up with the crew and we drove down to Mexicali. We crossed the border on Saturday morning and continued on down to San Felipe, a festive beach town at the north end of the Sea of Cortez. We found our boat down at the pier (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.9927,+-114.828&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr">30.9927, -114.828</a>) and claimed our rooms on Saturday around noon before taking the rest of the day to explore town and enjoy a great meal at Chuey's. On Sunday morning we set out 250 miles south to the Midriff Islands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcodKiZBjI/AAAAAAAAAyA/NmwXbF9gLqQ/s1600-h/sunset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcodKiZBjI/AAAAAAAAAyA/NmwXbF9gLqQ/s400/sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199168776332445234" border="0" /></a>The sun sets over the Baja coast as we journey down to the Midriff Islands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcoc6iZBhI/AAAAAAAAAxw/yB2DrBDb6L8/s1600-h/sunrise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcoc6iZBhI/AAAAAAAAAxw/yB2DrBDb6L8/s400/sunrise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199168772037477906" border="0" /></a>A typical day on the Tony Reyes began when we awoke around 5 am for a hot breakfast in the galley.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcoc6iZBiI/AAAAAAAAAx4/56xr9P_zTWA/s1600-h/sunrise_gear_prep.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcoc6iZBiI/AAAAAAAAAx4/56xr9P_zTWA/s400/sunrise_gear_prep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199168772037477922" border="0" /></a>The guides had the pangas stocked with bait and fishing gear as we made last minute preparations for our morning out on the water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcodaiZBlI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/1jxfU-i53Bs/s1600-h/tony_reyes_sunrise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcodaiZBlI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/1jxfU-i53Bs/s400/tony_reyes_sunrise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199168780627412562" border="0" /></a>We began our first day of fishing on Monday morning at Puerto Refugia at the north end of Isla Angel de la Guarda (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=29.5471,+-113.527&ie=UTF8&ll=29.546785,-113.52632&spn=0.009875,0.016437&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr">29.5471, -113.527</a>). On a typical morning we were out on the water by 6 am. This photo shows our boat the Tony Reyes, which has room for 27 fishermen who can head out in groups of 3 on 9 guided pangas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxaiZBVI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/y_R_HQqC0ow/s1600-h/harry_john_bottom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxaiZBVI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/y_R_HQqC0ow/s400/harry_john_bottom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199164726178284882" border="0" /></a>The morning might start of with some time spent working the edge of reefs on the hunt for cabrilla. If conditions were favorable the night before we had live wells stocked with mackerel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcibaiZBII/AAAAAAAAAuo/ZH58grJwKSk/s1600-h/bait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcibaiZBII/AAAAAAAAAuo/ZH58grJwKSk/s400/bait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199162149197907074" border="0" /></a><span class="FishHeadEnglish"><span>A live <a href="http://www.mexfish.com/fish/pmack/pmack.htm">Pacific Mackerel</a> </span></span><span class="FishHeadScientific">(<span style="font-style: italic;">Scomber japonicus</span>) on the line and used as bait. We would often start out fishing with the mackerel as live bait and we'd cycle through to keep an active fish on the line, tossing those we had used in the fish well for later use as cut bait.</span><br /><span class="FishHeadScientific"></span><br /><span class="FishHeadScientific"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnDqiZBZI/AAAAAAAAAww/qFmQTKoiTAc/s1600-h/landing_cabrilla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnDqiZBZI/AAAAAAAAAww/qFmQTKoiTAc/s400/landing_cabrilla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167238734153106" border="0" /></a>We were able to catch <a href="http://www.mexfish.com/fish/lepgrp/lepgrp.htm"><span class="FishHeadScientific">Cabrilla</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;" class="FishHeadScientific"> (Mycteroperca rosacea)</span><span class="FishHeadScientific"> by working the shoreline or reefs (in the background to the left in the photo above). These fish are quick to dive into a hole in the rocks when hooked so it was necessary to give a hard jerk and reel in quick so they would not cut the line on the rocks. Our guides--in this photo Francisco--would unhook the fish, toss it in the fish well and set us up for another pass.</span><br /><span class="FishHeadScientific"></span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="FishHeadScientific"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="FishHeadScientific"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjn6iZBNI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/wgZUtHeISpM/s1600-h/bottom_fishing_ralph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjn6iZBNI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/wgZUtHeISpM/s400/bottom_fishing_ralph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199163463457899730" border="0" /></a>We had great luck with the spotted bass and would often park at a spot over a sandy bottom. If conditions were favorable we could pull one after another in by jigging with a two-hook rig using cut herring bait.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnp6iZBgI/AAAAAAAAAxo/m4FS7TN4LHg/s1600-h/spotted_sea_bass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnp6iZBgI/AAAAAAAAAxo/m4FS7TN4LHg/s400/spotted_sea_bass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167895864149506" border="0" /></a>A typical <a href="http://www.mexfish.com/fish/spbaybass/spbaybass.htm">Spotted Sand Bass</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus). </span><span>When conditions were poor for other fish we could just about always catch these guys.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnpaiZBeI/AAAAAAAAAxY/j9ZP-nKFOcs/s1600-h/pelican.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnpaiZBeI/AAAAAAAAAxY/j9ZP-nKFOcs/s400/pelican.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167887274214882" border="0" /></a>When the fish weren't biting there was plenty of stuff to see. The coastline offered beautiful and diverse geology along with hundreds of birds. Pelicans (<span class="FishHeadScientific"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pelecanus occidentalis</span>)</span> were fascinating to watch as they patrolled the coastline and dove for fish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxKiZBTI/AAAAAAAAAwA/sjybSdt-IOU/s1600-h/giant_sea_bass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxKiZBTI/AAAAAAAAAwA/sjybSdt-IOU/s400/giant_sea_bass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199164721883317554" border="0" /></a>Around noon all the pangas came back to the boat and it was an opportunity for everyone to show off their catch. These <a href="http://www.mexfish.com/fish/bsbass/bsbass.htm">Black Sea Bass</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> (Stereolepis gigas) </span>were caught off the west side of Isla Angel de la Guarda and at 84 lbs. the larger one was the biggest fish caught on the trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxaiZBUI/AAAAAAAAAwI/BCZvWX-hb9k/s1600-h/grouper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxaiZBUI/AAAAAAAAAwI/BCZvWX-hb9k/s400/grouper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199164726178284866" border="0" /></a>A grouper caught on a live mackerel bait that came in on the last morning and weighed in at slightly over 50 lbs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjp6iZBRI/AAAAAAAAAvw/7JY2BbCFOmk/s1600-h/fish_on_ice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjp6iZBRI/AAAAAAAAAvw/7JY2BbCFOmk/s400/fish_on_ice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199163497817638162" border="0" /></a>Within just a few minutes of bringing in our fish they were gutted and gilled and on ice in the hold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjoqiZBPI/AAAAAAAAAvg/TY36C9GRpzY/s1600-h/dinner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjoqiZBPI/AAAAAAAAAvg/TY36C9GRpzY/s400/dinner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199163476342801650" border="0" /></a>Lunch was served around noon after everyone had a chance to survey the morning catch. The galley could seat 12 comfortably so we'd eat in shifts and then everyone would disappear off to their cabin for a much needed siesta. During this time the captain would move the boat to a new fishing spot and at 3 pm we would all head out again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcno6iZBcI/AAAAAAAAAxI/VRA-n9Lz7t8/s1600-h/mirrolure.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcno6iZBcI/AAAAAAAAAxI/VRA-n9Lz7t8/s400/mirrolure.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167878684280258" border="0" /></a>Afternoons were often a good time for trolling and we favored the <a href="http://www.mirrolure.com/">Mirrolure</a> 111 MR HP which proved successful for yellowtail and cabrilla.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnCqiZBXI/AAAAAAAAAwg/fQQ79BAx3Vk/s1600-h/john_fish_on.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnCqiZBXI/AAAAAAAAAwg/fQQ79BAx3Vk/s400/john_fish_on.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167221554283890" border="0" /></a>Fish On! John hooks into a 25 lb. yellowtail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnD6iZBaI/AAAAAAAAAw4/JLuPLhPYOME/s1600-h/landing_yellowtail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnD6iZBaI/AAAAAAAAAw4/JLuPLhPYOME/s400/landing_yellowtail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167243029120418" border="0" /></a>Whenever we'd hook into a fish the guide would quickly gaff the fish and haul it in. Our guides never missed a fish aside from one white bass that a seal grabbed just as Bill was pulling it in along side the boat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnD6iZBbI/AAAAAAAAAxA/QCLWrGXUAAM/s1600-h/marcos_yellowtail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnD6iZBbI/AAAAAAAAAxA/QCLWrGXUAAM/s400/marcos_yellowtail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167243029120434" border="0" /></a>Our guide Marcos hauls in one of our yellowtails.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxqiZBWI/AAAAAAAAAwY/fJ3jRQ4sywE/s1600-h/harry_ralph_trolling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckxqiZBWI/AAAAAAAAAwY/fJ3jRQ4sywE/s400/harry_ralph_trolling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199164730473252194" border="0" /></a>Harry and Ralph trolling for yellowtail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjoaiZBOI/AAAAAAAAAvY/60iCSvqRizY/s1600-h/coastline.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjoaiZBOI/AAAAAAAAAvY/60iCSvqRizY/s400/coastline.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199163472047834338" border="0" /></a>Most of the time I spent fishing but I did take an hour to do a bit of land-based exploring when the fishing was a little slow. This photo is looking north from the southern end of Isla de la Guarda (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=29.0328,+-113.114&ie=UTF8&ll=29.025103,-113.116264&spn=0.079404,0.131493&t=h&z=13&iwloc=addr">29.0328, -113.114</a>). After looping around the southern tip of this island Tuesday after lunch we began to head north along the coast of the Baja Peninsula.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcic6iZBLI/AAAAAAAAAvA/EKLmqm5kYKU/s1600-h/bird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcic6iZBLI/AAAAAAAAAvA/EKLmqm5kYKU/s400/bird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199162174967710898" border="0" /></a>It was always fun to watch the birds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcidKiZBMI/AAAAAAAAAvI/OlQP_9EA5uU/s1600-h/bottom_fishing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcidKiZBMI/AAAAAAAAAvI/OlQP_9EA5uU/s400/bottom_fishing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199162179262678210" border="0" /></a>If the trolling was slow you could always jig for spotted sand bass which was typically productive. While we would often all head out to different areas for trolling or fishing the reefs, the pangas would often gather up in the same general area for jigging.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcpR6iZBmI/AAAAAAAAAyY/Yy3-9Tw1Zmo/s1600-h/tony_reyes_sunset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcpR6iZBmI/AAAAAAAAAyY/Yy3-9Tw1Zmo/s400/tony_reyes_sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199169682570544738" border="0" /></a>By about 7 pm we'd all head back in and it was another chance for everyone to show of their catch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnDaiZBYI/AAAAAAAAAwo/E4v0Bno4xzw/s1600-h/john_yellowtail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnDaiZBYI/AAAAAAAAAwo/E4v0Bno4xzw/s400/john_yellowtail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167234439185794" border="0" /></a> Here's John with a nice <a href="http://www.mexfish.com/fish/yltl/yltl.htm">Yellowtail</a><span class="FishHeadScientific"><span style="font-style: italic;"> (Seriola dorsalis lalandi)</span> he caught on an afternoon troll.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcodKiZBkI/AAAAAAAAAyI/u4eDRi824oM/s1600-h/sunset_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcodKiZBkI/AAAAAAAAAyI/u4eDRi824oM/s400/sunset_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199168776332445250" border="0" /></a>We would watch the sun set and then head in for dinner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcib6iZBJI/AAAAAAAAAuw/Ooj8TXKixQo/s1600-h/bait_fishing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcib6iZBJI/AAAAAAAAAuw/Ooj8TXKixQo/s400/bait_fishing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199162157787841682" border="0" /></a>After dinner it was time to jig for bait. The captain might move the boat while we were having dinner. Once we were anchored again we would often spend 2-3 hours jigging for mackerel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcicKiZBKI/AAAAAAAAAu4/R4fOo82ERKc/s1600-h/bait_fishing_ralph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcicKiZBKI/AAAAAAAAAu4/R4fOo82ERKc/s400/bait_fishing_ralph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199162162082808994" border="0" /></a>Ralph gets some bait on his hook for jigging.<br /><br />Everyone wandered off to bed as they grew tired of jigging and over the night the boat might move again. We were then up again at 5 am for another day of fishing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjpaiZBQI/AAAAAAAAAvo/SUFvhc4fk44/s1600-h/filet_fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcjpaiZBQI/AAAAAAAAAvo/SUFvhc4fk44/s400/filet_fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199163489227703554" border="0" /></a>While we were out on the water in the morning the crew would take our catch from the day before, pull it out of the hold, and fillet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckw6iZBSI/AAAAAAAAAv4/1HKHYcJKK7w/s1600-h/fish_packing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCckw6iZBSI/AAAAAAAAAv4/1HKHYcJKK7w/s400/fish_packing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199164717588350242" border="0" /></a>The fillets were then vacuum sealed and stored in the freezer with tags coded to our panga.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnpaiZBdI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/ArNNEbHDOKU/s1600-h/packing_coolers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/SCcnpaiZBdI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/ArNNEbHDOKU/s400/packing_coolers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199167887274214866" border="0" /></a>As we headed back in to port the crew pulled all our fillets out of the freezer and distributed them to our coolers where they were packed on ice. We got in to port around 8 pm and then had dinner in San Felipe before heading north to the border. We packed our fish with dry ice the next morning and all flew home from San Diego. I was able to enjoy cabrilla for dinner.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-2256772161962245249?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-36069618164922621452008-04-02T08:00:00.000-07:002008-04-21T22:21:38.529-07:00Reform of 1872 Mining LawsHere's commentary published in the Seattle PI that I authored with Ken Meidell over at Cascade Designs regarding the current discussions in the Senate over reform of the mining laws of 1872.<br /><br />Seattle PI<br />Balancing, protecting the playing field<br />KEN MEIDELL AND THOMAS O'KEEFE<br />GUEST COLUMNISTS<br />Last updated March 31, 2008 4:04 p.m. PT<br />http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/357151_mining01.html<br /><br />With two major mountain ranges, three stunning national parks and miles of coastline, it's no wonder the Washington Bureau of Tourism calls our outdoor opportunities "actively great." From rushing rivers to old-growth forests, there's arguably no better playground around. But that could change. An outdated law gives mining priority treatment on some of the same places we climb, ski, hike, paddle and mountain bike, regardless of environmental impact or other uses of public lands. We're thankful that Sen. Maria Cantwell and others are trying to pass legislation that will balance -- and protect -- the playing field.<br /><br />Strange as it may seem, gold, uranium and other hardrock mining on Washington public lands remains governed by the 1872 Mining Law, which allows the taking of gold and other metals free of charge and, gives mining priority over everything else on most federal lands. Moreover, the lack of effective environmental protections has left a devastating legacy of abandoned mines that have not only marred landscapes but also contaminated 40 percent of Western headwaters.<br /><br />This 19th century mining law is out of synch with a West whose population is booming due in large part to the quality of life public lands provide. Our Western economy is no longer dominated by resource extraction, but instead thrives from a diverse array of industries, including sustainable outdoor recreation. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, in Washington outdoor recreation contributes $12 billion to the economy annually, sustains 115,000 jobs and generates $650 million in state taxes.<br /><br />Last fall, the House of Representatives took an important first step toward bringing our nation closer to the 21st century, by passing bipartisan legislation that would protect wild places and provide stronger environmental safeguards. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee and co-sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., helped ensure passage of a strong reform measure.<br /><br />The Senate is ready to act, although opposition from mining interests could gut much needed conservation provisions from the House bill. Washington's senators can play a pivotal role in advancing much-needed reforms. Cantwell, as a member of the committee drafting reform legislation, has repeatedly called for a bill that includes stronger environmental protections.<br /><br />We wholeheartedly agree. Genuine reform means putting roadless national forests, potential wilderness and areas around national parks off limits to new mining claims. Waterways and watersheds must be protected. And, the mining industry -- like everyone else -- needs to pay to use them by compensating taxpayers for valuable minerals taken from public lands, as required for coal, oil and gas companies.<br /><br />Let's be clear. Makers and users of outdoor recreation equipment recognize the importance of mining. From climbing carabineers and bike frames to trekking poles and ski edges, navigating a downhill trail or scaling a peak depends on metal. Mining has a place in the future economy of the United States. It just shouldn't be modeled after 19th century practices. Mining needs to be conducted in a manner that is responsible to our environment, economy and communities.<br /><br />Modernizing the nation's 135-year-old mining law is simply the right thing to do for Washington's diverse economy, natural ecosystems and superlative outdoor recreation. For those of us who love the outdoors, we heartily thank Inslee for his work in the House and strongly support Cantwell's efforts in the Senate.<br /><br />Ken Meidell is vice president of the Outdoor Group for Seattle-based Cascade Designs. Thomas O'Keefe is Pacific Northwest stewardship director for American Whitewater, a founding organization of the Outdoor Alliance.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3606961816492262145?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-31850531373234565382008-04-01T10:26:00.000-07:002008-04-02T10:12:40.392-07:00Grand Canyon: Favorite HikesI have to admit I did not appreciate this fact before traveling to the Grand Canyon, but one of the best parts of our journey was the opportunity to explore all the side canyons. We were transported back to a time when rivers were the way to explore the world and new adventures greeted us around each bend. Of course whole books have been written about hiking in the Grand Canyon and I'd recommend two for a river trip: Grand Canyon River Hikes by Tyler Williams and Day Hikes From the River by Tom Martin. It's worth bringing a copy of each along. Tyler covers the classics and has a beta section for each hike that can be quickly scanned (very helpful when you're floating down the river and want to pull out the guide for a quick decision on where to stop for lunch). If you're really into exploring and what to go on some epic adventures, Tom's guide is more comprehensive covering both the classics and some more obscure routes.<br /><br />We spent several hours each day exploring and here are some images and memories of some of my favorite places.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">North Canyon</span> was our first introduction to hiking in the Grand Canyon and well worth a stop.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVePPMG-I/AAAAAAAAAsY/ULN1h8-LnSA/s1600-h/03_north_canyon_hike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVePPMG-I/AAAAAAAAAsY/ULN1h8-LnSA/s400/03_north_canyon_hike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183948255310650338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Climbing up into North Canyon.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVevPMG_I/AAAAAAAAAsg/On-BQixbhn0/s1600-h/03_north_canyon_pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVevPMG_I/AAAAAAAAAsg/On-BQixbhn0/s400/03_north_canyon_pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183948263900584946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sliding into the pool in North Canyon.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes it's fun to just discover places on your own and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Silver Grotto</span> was one of those finds. Looking for a camp early in the trip we came across the thin sliver of a beach at Silver Grotto up against a massive bedrock wall. It was a cool camp and we got up the next morning to explore our surroundings. Some anchors and a bit of rope help you access the inner reaches of this intimate little side canyon. Coming back down at the end is a fun water slide.<br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVe_PMHBI/AAAAAAAAAsw/0kPdQt5fRkI/s1600-h/04_silver_grotto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVe_PMHBI/AAAAAAAAAsw/0kPdQt5fRkI/s400/04_silver_grotto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183948268195552274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hilary sizing up the crux move to enter Silver Grotto.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVevPMHAI/AAAAAAAAAso/Js7kxsbkcq0/s1600-h/04_silver_grotto_slide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVevPMHAI/AAAAAAAAAso/Js7kxsbkcq0/s400/04_silver_grotto_slide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183948263900584962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Brian enjoys the slide at the exit of Silver Grotto.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span>There are a couple of different hikes that highlight the cultural history of the Canyon. One of my favorites was <span style="font-weight: bold;">Unkar Delta</span>. Pot shards and the foundations of ancient dwellings are found throughout the delta which is a fun place to explore.</span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD9vPMHDI/AAAAAAAAAtA/kb3cMiPyVOw/s1600-h/06_unkar_delta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD9vPMHDI/AAAAAAAAAtA/kb3cMiPyVOw/s400/06_unkar_delta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184140111499762738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Unkar Delta.</span><br /></div><br />One of my favorite sections of the whole trip was the Inner Gorge. Downstream of Hance Rapid the walls close in as the river carves a slot through dark Vishnu Schist. Powell wrote this well-known passage as he entered this section of the river:<br /><blockquote> <p style="font-style: italic;">We are three quarters of a mile in the depths of the earth, and the great river shrinks into insignificance as it dashes its angry waves against the walls and cliffs that rise to the world above; the waves are but puny ripples, and we but pigmies, running up and down the sands or lost among the boulders. </p><p><span style="font-style: italic;">We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things. The men talk as cheerfully as ever; but to me the cheer is somber and the jests are ghastly.</span> </p></blockquote>There is a great hike in this section up <span style="font-weight: bold;">Clear Creek</span> and we had a great afternoon exploring.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVe_PMHCI/AAAAAAAAAs4/xmDf4BfhiHs/s1600-h/07_clear_creek_shower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_EVe_PMHCI/AAAAAAAAAs4/xmDf4BfhiHs/s400/07_clear_creek_shower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183948268195552290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Amanda and Hilary taking a shower under the falls on Clear Creek</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD9_PMHEI/AAAAAAAAAtI/JrpjLDnfHxk/s1600-h/07_clear_creek_hike_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD9_PMHEI/AAAAAAAAAtI/JrpjLDnfHxk/s400/07_clear_creek_hike_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184140115794730050" border="0" /></a>Wandering up Clear Creek.<br /></div><br />As you pass Phantom Ranch you get a great whitewater section that includes Horn Creek Rapid, Granite, Hermit, and Crystal followed by the Gems. We turned our attention to the whitewater for a couple days but then came upon Elves Chasm, a fabulous lunch stop.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6PtfPMGsI/AAAAAAAAAn4/_Z6B4tG_wcM/s1600-h/10_elves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6PtfPMGsI/AAAAAAAAAn4/_Z6B4tG_wcM/s400/10_elves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183238232792111810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Laura takes the plunge at Elves Chasm<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Following Elves you come into one of the best sections of the river for hikes with several classics. It's good to slow down and savor this section and plan a layover day or two. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tapeats Creek to Thunder River</span> is a great hike where you can see the Thunder River as it explodes from the canyon wall. The canyon walls are draped with beautiful hanging gardens that harbor a diversity of plant and animal life--an oasis in the canyon. River guides told us of more places to explore in the area and it would be fun to return for an extended stay. </span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD-PPMHFI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/k_0lEnyBVBM/s1600-h/11_tapeats_hike_4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD-PPMHFI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/k_0lEnyBVBM/s400/11_tapeats_hike_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184140120089697362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hiking up Tapeats Creek with the view back towards the Colorado River.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD-fPMHGI/AAAAAAAAAtY/CfpLbkN2Qss/s1600-h/11_thunder_river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD-fPMHGI/AAAAAAAAAtY/CfpLbkN2Qss/s400/11_thunder_river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184140124384664674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Thunder River emerges from the canyon wall.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Many groups split up to hike between Thunder River and and Deer Creek and exchange boats but logistics were a little complicated with only 3 rafts and several kayaks so we all paddled down river and hiked up <span style="font-weight: bold;">Deer Creek</span>. Deer Creek carves an amazingly beautiful serpentine canyon before plunging over a falls adjacent to the Colorado River. There are several camps here on river left across the river from the falls.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD-vPMHHI/AAAAAAAAAtg/57Adym68Mjc/s1600-h/12_deer_creek_falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HD-vPMHHI/AAAAAAAAAtg/57Adym68Mjc/s400/12_deer_creek_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184140128679631986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Deer Creek Falls.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NvvPMG3I/AAAAAAAAAp4/5O5kLbEcGHc/s1600-h/deer_creek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NvvPMG3I/AAAAAAAAAp4/5O5kLbEcGHc/s400/deer_creek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183587916144450418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Deer Creek Narrows.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After a day at Deer Creek we pulled into camp just downstream of <span>Matkatamiba Canyon or "Matkat". With our plans set on Havasu just downstream we nearly passed up on Matkat until some rafters told us it was a great spot to check out. It turned out to be one of our most enjoyable stops on the trip and it was such a wonderful spot that we chose it as our layover day.</span><br /></div><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NsvPMG1I/AAAAAAAAApo/eenacVm8984/s1600-h/matkat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NsvPMG1I/AAAAAAAAApo/eenacVm8984/s400/matkat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183587864604842834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Krista showing off chimney moves at Matkatamiba Canyon ("Matkat")<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span>After a day and two nights at Matkat we set off downstream for Havasu. We should have planned more time for this stop but we did enjoy a full afternoon and made it up to the first set of waterfalls. It's definitely one of the classic canyon hikes and a pretty magical place.<br /></span></div><span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFAPPMHII/AAAAAAAAAto/k45AghVt_6Y/s1600-h/14_havasu_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFAPPMHII/AAAAAAAAAto/k45AghVt_6Y/s400/14_havasu_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184141253961063554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The beauty of Havasu.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFAfPMHJI/AAAAAAAAAtw/825KE9rcbJM/s1600-h/14_havasu_falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFAfPMHJI/AAAAAAAAAtw/825KE9rcbJM/s400/14_havasu_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184141258256030866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The first waterfall on Havasu.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just downstream are a couple more great canyons to explore--National Canyon and Fern Glen. National Canyon features a great slot canyon with some tricky moves to gain entry. Fern Glen provides a fun challenge of trying to work your way along the wall above a pool.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NtPPMG2I/AAAAAAAAApw/-5F7t1vK1vk/s1600-h/national.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NtPPMG2I/AAAAAAAAApw/-5F7t1vK1vk/s400/national.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183587873194777442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom in National Canyon.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFAvPMHKI/AAAAAAAAAt4/7GC6f257mvc/s1600-h/15_fern_climb_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFAvPMHKI/AAAAAAAAAt4/7GC6f257mvc/s400/15_fern_climb_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184141262550998178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Laurianne reaching for a hand hold above the pool in Fern Glen.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Downstream of Lava Falls we found another interesting cultural site. I've always been fascinated by rock art and enjoyed this short hike up to some pictographs on the canyon wall.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NsPPMG0I/AAAAAAAAApg/b5Qzf7nQ9RU/s1600-h/00_pictographs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-_NsPPMG0I/AAAAAAAAApg/b5Qzf7nQ9RU/s400/00_pictographs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183587856014908226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Rock art in the Grand Canyon.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">As you near the end of the trip there are still some fun places left to explore. Pumpkin spring is a neat spot and a great camp. As much as a love the beaches it was nice to have a camp with nice flat rocks and no sand.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFB_PMHLI/AAAAAAAAAuA/ueuljsB0d74/s1600-h/17_pumpkin_spring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFB_PMHLI/AAAAAAAAAuA/ueuljsB0d74/s400/17_pumpkin_spring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184141284025834674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Pumpkin Springs.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We went all the way down to Mead which provided an opportunity to enjoy Columbine Falls one of the last features of the Canyon before it opens up and comes to an end.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFB_PMHMI/AAAAAAAAAuI/-rRgMqgprmQ/s1600-h/20_columbine_falls_shower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R_HFB_PMHMI/AAAAAAAAAuI/-rRgMqgprmQ/s400/20_columbine_falls_shower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184141284025834690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Laurianne stands under Columbine Falls.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">We had a great trip and I hope to get back someday to explore more hidden corners of this wonderful place.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tips for Hikes<br /></span><ul><li>Keep a day bag handy with your shorts, hiking shoes, and a way to carry your lunch (the kitchen supplies our outfitter provided did not include anything to carry lunches).</li><li>You may also want waterproof bags to hold gear inside your day pack--especially for your nice camera--as you will likely find yourself in places where you need to swim across a pool of water.<br /></li><li>Remember you will be out for 21 days so don't bring an old pair of shoes that will fall apart--if you hike like we did, footwear takes massive abuse on this trip. I like the Keen Newport H2 or the Montrail Vitesse.</li><li>Consider bringing 10 m of 8 mm rope and a couple of webbing slings. They can be helpful for getting in and out of a couple of the side canyons. </li><li>Climbers might enjoy having their shoes and a bag of chalk. Just keep in mind that you're a long way from help and the majority of injuries on the Canyon happen off the river.</li></ul><br /><br /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3185053137323456538?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-34401774089135600602008-03-29T10:27:00.000-07:002008-04-01T12:54:52.413-07:00Grand Canyon: Preparing for the TripIn April of 2007 and I had the honor of joining Midwest paddling legend Harry House on a trip down the Grand Canyon. We ran the river in a C2 (a tandem canoe with a hard deck) on a trip that also included 3 rafts and 7 kayaks. We took 21 days to travel from Lee's Ferry down to Mead. Someday I may get around to posting the full trip report but in the meantime I wanted to post my packing list and thoughts on trip preparation to share with others.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Pr_PMGqI/AAAAAAAAAno/pjjLoN-9F4s/s1600-h/09_hermit_c2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Pr_PMGqI/AAAAAAAAAno/pjjLoN-9F4s/s400/09_hermit_c2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183238207022308002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Enjoying the ride through the waves at Hermit</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts on the time of year.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've only done the river once so I can't really say I'm an expert on the subject but April was pretty wonderful and I would definitely make it a point to try and do it again in the spring. The wild flowers were spectacular (don't forget the macro lens for some great shots). The nights were cool offering comfortable sleeping conditions and most days were hot without being uncomfortably so.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Ps_PMGrI/AAAAAAAAAnw/JKmDabKmhiM/s1600-h/10_cactus_bloom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Ps_PMGrI/AAAAAAAAAnw/JKmDabKmhiM/s400/10_cactus_bloom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183238224202177202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cactus in bloom</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts on Hikes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a river runner and have been my whole life and although people had told me about the hikes on the Grand Canyon before I left I can't say I thought much about that aspect of the trip before I went. What I had not appreciated was the quality and diversity of hiking opportunities that involve lots of scrambling up side canyons, swimming through pools in side canyon gorges, and chimney moves up narrow slots. After our first journey up North Canyon we started spending at least 4 hours a day exploring the side canyons. Grand Canyon River Hikes by Tyler Williams covers the classics and has a format that's easy to scan quickly when you are in your boat moving down the river (i.e. you can see characteristics of the hike without reading the whole description). Tom Martin's Day Hikes From the River is more comprehensive and has a hike for just about every section along the river. You really need to sit down and read the full descriptions and for that reason it's a great for camp when you are planning out the next day. One important note for the hikes is make sure you have good amphibious shoes. Remember you will be out for 21 days so don't bring an old pair of shoes that will fall apart. I like the Keen Newport H2 or the Montrail Vitesse for trips like this. Chacos are nice for camp but you often want something with a little bit more protection and support for climbing up the side canyons. The one downside with the Newport H2 is that you will be walking up stream beds and small pebbles get lodged inside your shoes. The Montrail Vitesse avoids this problem but doesn't drain as well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Oy_PMGpI/AAAAAAAAAng/oyHkfLlWaZI/s1600-h/13_matkat_narrows_climb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Oy_PMGpI/AAAAAAAAAng/oyHkfLlWaZI/s400/13_matkat_narrows_climb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183237227769764498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Chimney Moves in Matkatamiba Canyon (Matkat)</span><br /></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6PtfPMGsI/AAAAAAAAAn4/_Z6B4tG_wcM/s1600-h/10_elves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6PtfPMGsI/AAAAAAAAAn4/_Z6B4tG_wcM/s400/10_elves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183238232792111810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One of my favorite spots: Elves Chasm.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts on Climbing<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Several of the hikes involve short climbs or bouldering moves. A couple lengths of rope--a full climbing rope would be overkill but something like 10 m of 8 mm rope works well--and some webbing slings will be useful. Climbers might enjoy having their shoes and a bag of chalk. Just keep in mind that you're a long way from help and the majority of injuries on the Canyon happen off the river.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6K_vPMGnI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/kGjFH1offzM/s1600-h/04_silver_grotto_climb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6K_vPMGnI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/kGjFH1offzM/s400/04_silver_grotto_climb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183233048766585458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Climbing up a short pitch at Silver Grotto</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts on Hand and Foot Care</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I come from the Pacific Northwest and although I've done some trips to the desert southwest I can't say I've done anything that approaches 21 days. It's a hot, dry climate and you need to take care of your hands and feet. Everyone has their favorite hand cream. I like to use Burt's Bees and I was religious about using it every night and every morning on my hands and feet. A bottle of hand sanitizer is useful too. I never had any skin cracking or open sores. I also went through 4 tubes of lip balm. Being susceptible to sun burn I had a 16 oz. bottle of sun block. It's a good idea to make sure others on your trip are prepared with hand cream, lip balm, and sun block or there will be demand for yours. Sunglasses are essential for long days on the water and it's a good idea to bring a second pair. Under my helmet I wore a nylon cap with visor and sun flaps that covered my neck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6KF_PMGmI/AAAAAAAAAnI/R7YElkfusy4/s1600-h/hands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6KF_PMGmI/AAAAAAAAAnI/R7YElkfusy4/s400/hands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183232056629140066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hands were looking pretty worn. The key is using the hand cream before they start looking like this.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts on Outfitting</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We used Moenkopi Riverworks for our gear and food. Brady was a pleasure to work with. He and his staff seemed as excited about the trip as we were and they helped us get all the gear rigged at the put-in. They stayed with us overnight at the put-in, cooked our first meal, showed us all the kitchen gear, and helped us load the rafts. For a group of kayakers with rookie rafters they were great to work with. Other outfitters include Professional River Outfitters (PRO) and Canyon River Equipment Outfitters (Canyon REO). In addition to an outfitter you will also want a staging area in Flagstaff. We got the whole group in a couple rooms with bunk beds at the DeBeau Hostel. Everyone was able to fly or drive in two days before our launch and we cooked group meals together at the hostel while we got gear packed and boats rigged out in the parking lot.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6k5_PMGtI/AAAAAAAAAoA/eAZlR0LNgkU/s1600-h/outfitter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6k5_PMGtI/AAAAAAAAAoA/eAZlR0LNgkU/s400/outfitter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183261537284659922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Getting all the gear ready at Moenkopi Riverworks.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts on the Whitewater</span><br /></div><br />For experienced whitewater boaters the Canyon is not a hard run. Most of the rapids have a straight forward line so for the most part you position yourself at the top, ride the waves, and then hang on for the dynamic eddy lines and boils at the bottom. The run-out will be the most challenging part of the rapids for those who have not done much big water. The good news is the run is all pool drop and there are good recovery stretches at the bottom of nearly every rapid (Crystal being a notable exception). We had kayakers who were intermediates and oarsmen with limited rafting experience on our trip. Everyone did fine--we had no raft flips and no swims. For kayakers the most important skill is having a solid roll. As for boats you want something that's comfortable. This is really a river cruisers run so a longer boat with a bit of volume is a good choice. You can have great fun in a play boat too and if you go that route I'd recommend something that's good for surfing big waves. For paddling clothing I went with a drysuit which was overkill most days--it was nice on a couple of our cooler days. For a spring trip on the Canyon I'd go with a shorty wet suit, paddle jacket, and board shorts but if your roll is a little rusty or you think there's any chance you'll be spending time out of your boat then a drysuit is a good idea. As for the rapids, everyone knows the big rapids that include Hance, Horn, Crystal, and Lava Falls but there are a few others that are worth checking out.<br /><ul><li>House Rock Rapid: This is the first significant rapid on the run. It's not a difficult move but it's the first rapid where everyone will get to experience the power of the river and the first test for the rafters who need to make a hard pull to avoid the hole at bottom left.</li><li>Sockdolager and Zoroaster: These rapids come after you enter the Upper Granite Gorge following a run of Hance. The canyon walls are tight and the waves and holes can be punched but it's chaotic.</li><li>Bedrock: It's worth scouting this one to make sure you avoid the left side. It's not a hard move to get right but it's helpful to take a look especially for the rafts.</li><li>Deubendorff: This is not a hard rapid but it is helpful to see the move you need to make to the right about midway down.</li><li>135 Mile Rapid (Helicopter Eddy): This rapid is just below Tapeats Creek and although the rapid is not hard you do need to make the move to avoid ending up in Helicopter Eddy.</li><li>Upset Rapid: This is just above Havasu and rafts will want to avoid the hole. The name gives you can idea of what happens if you don't.<br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6lw_PMGuI/AAAAAAAAAoI/7Oy7nlgvKFM/s1600-h/day_02_house_rock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6lw_PMGuI/AAAAAAAAAoI/7Oy7nlgvKFM/s400/day_02_house_rock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183262482177465058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The first test of the trip: making the cut to the right at House Rock</span><br /></div><br /></div></div></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Complete Grand Canyon Gear List</span><br />This was my gear list for a 21 day trip on the Grand Canyon. For the most part it represents what I took with a couple minor modifications.<br /><br />Sleeping<br />Sleeping Bag: REI Nooksack PrimaLoft® MXL<br />Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad with chair kit<br />Bivy: Outdoor Research Advanced Bivy<br /><br />Clothing (camp and river)<br />Sunglasses: Smith (x2)<br />Hat: Nylon cap with sun flaps<br />Patagonia Rain Shadow Pants<br />Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket<br />Patagonia R4 Polyester Jacket<br />Patagonia Stand Up Nylon Pants<br />Down Vest<br />Capilene 1 T-Shirt (x2)<br />Capilene 1 Long Sleeve<br />Capilene 1 Bottoms<br />Capilene 4 Long Sleeve<br />Capilene 4 Bottoms<br />Patagonia Baggies Shorts<br />Polyester Boxers (x2)<br />Wool Hat<br />Polyester/Spandex Gloves<br />Wool Socks (x 2 pair)<br />Keen Newport H2 shoes<br />Cotton Sarong<br />Eagle Creek Day Pack<br />Ultimate Fanny Pack<br /><br />Camp<br />Nalgene Water Bottle (x2)<br />Bandanna<br />Princeton Tec 3 LED Headlamp<br /><br />Electronics<br />Palm Tungsten T2 with keyboard (journal)<br />Nikon D80 (w/ 8 GB flash memory cards)<br />Pentax Optio WP (w/ 4 GB flash memory cards)<br /><span class="asinTitle"><span id="btAsinTitle">Bogen - Manfrotto 3009 Table Top Tripod with Micro Ball Head</span></span><br />Sony Handycam DCR-TRV27<br />Pelican Waterproof Case (x2)<br />Brunton Solar Roll<br />iGo 12v Charger and Tips<br />4 extra NiMH AA batteries<br /><br />Toiletries/Safety<br />Burt's Bees Hand Cream (x2)<br />Burt's Bees Lip Balm (x4)<br />Doctor Bronner's Liquid Soap<br />Sun Lotion<br />3 Single Blade Razors<br />Toothbrush<br />Toothpaste<br />Dental Floss<br />2 oz. Hand Sanatizer (x2)<br />1 qt. Ziplock Bags (x 5)<br />Leatherman<br />lighter<br />matches<br />candle<br />personal first aid (band aids, waterproof tape, poison ivy soap, etc.)<br />photo id, credit card, $20 cash<br /><br />Paddling<br />Kokatat Gore-Tex Meridian Drysuit<br />Kokatat Rescue PFD<br />Keen Neoprene Booties<br />Paddle: Werner Bandit<br />Helmet: Seda Fiberglass<br />Boat: Hydra Duet (C2)<br />Snapdragon Skirt<br />1" tubular webbing slings (x3)<br />70' spectra throw rope<br />50' cord<br />carabiners (x6)<br />Whistle<br />Waterproof Watch<br />River Knife<br />Watershed ZipDry Duffle<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Ld_PMGoI/AAAAAAAAAnY/gVwKCRQalRc/s1600-h/08_horn_c2_02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/R-6Ld_PMGoI/AAAAAAAAAnY/gVwKCRQalRc/s400/08_horn_c2_02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183233568457628290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tom and Harry enter Horn</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3440177408913560060?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-49043366122017133372007-07-25T12:19:00.000-07:002007-07-25T12:50:10.352-07:00With a Boom! Marmot Dam Removal BeginsYesterday was a great day for rivers--we witnessed the beginning of the end for Marmot Dam on the Sandy River just 40 miles from downtown Portland. While the dam and powerplant originally provided electricity for the trolley system in Portland, it had lived its useful life. Later this year fish and paddlers will have access to a restored river.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqenGI6VXiI/AAAAAAAAANU/ep2zylJACRU/s1600-h/dam_pre_blast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqenGI6VXiI/AAAAAAAAANU/ep2zylJACRU/s400/dam_pre_blast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091221627678842402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">While the river runs at low summer flows it is diverted around the dam site. This is the view just before demolition began. Photo by Thomas O'Keefe.</span><br /></div><br />I came down from Seattle for the show and brought along Rebecca Sherman, former coordinator for the <a href="http://www.hydroreform.org">Hydropower Reform Coalition</a>; Rich Bowers, former Executive Director of American Whitewater and our new coordinator for the Hydropower Reform Coalition; Sam Drevo from eNRG Kayaking, and Matty Moreland, a local American Whitewater volunteer who lives near the Sandy River. A few more paddlers found their way to the show including Nick Jacobs from Alder Creek, Ben Liotta from eNRG kayaking, Dave Hoffman from eNRG kayaking, and Ferdinand Steinvorth, manufacturer of Blue Pool Paddles, from Costa Rica. It was great to see all the paddlers out who managed to pull the appropriate strings for a seat at the invitation-only event. All our friends from the Hydropower Reform Coalition who worked on this project were out too including folks from American Rivers, Oregon Trout, Trout Unlimited, and WateWatch of Oregon. It seemed every other group who does river advocacy work was there too along with many of our agency partners.<br /><br />As we arrived, PGE staff led tours of the dam site. One of the most striking images of the day was the Chinook salmon leaping into the air at the base of the dam. It was clear that paddlers weren't the only ones waiting in anticipation for a dam-free river.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqeizY6VXfI/AAAAAAAAAM8/O4EbiOJPnmo/s1600-h/salmon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqeizY6VXfI/AAAAAAAAAM8/O4EbiOJPnmo/s400/salmon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091216907509784050" border="0" /></a> <!-- INSERT CAPTION BELOW --><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by Steven Nehl/<a href="http://www.oregonian.com/">The Oregonian</a>. A salmon jumps at the falls where the Sandy River was diverted around Marmot Dam.</span><br /></div><br />After short remarks by Portland General Electric CEO Peggy Fowler, she waited for the "all clear" and then pushed the plunger to detonate the charge that blasted off the top few feet of the dam.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqekqI6VXgI/AAAAAAAAANE/nW2ynrBE1MU/s1600-h/dam5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqekqI6VXgI/AAAAAAAAANE/nW2ynrBE1MU/s400/dam5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091218947619249666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">From 1000' away Peggy Fowler pushes the plunger that sets off the explosive charge. Photo by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.destonnokes.com/">Deston Nokes</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> (see the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://marmotdam.com/video5_files/plunger_video.html">video</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Rqekv46VXhI/AAAAAAAAANM/3qLFLuksr0U/s1600-h/dam6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Rqekv46VXhI/AAAAAAAAANM/3qLFLuksr0U/s400/dam6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091219046403497490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">With a loud boom, dam removal was officially underway. Photo by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.destonnokes.com/">Deston Nokes</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br /></div><br />Cheers went up and the champagne came out--enough for a quick round before security confiscated the bottle--and then we all hustled up to witness the carnage. Within a few moments a line of trackhoes moved into position and began scooping up the rubble and loading it into a truck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqenGo6VXjI/AAAAAAAAANc/qM73IIoGi20/s1600-h/dam_post_blast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RqenGo6VXjI/AAAAAAAAANc/qM73IIoGi20/s400/dam_post_blast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091221636268777010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The heavy equipment moved into position and began scooping up the rubble. Over the next few weeks the material will be removed and by fall we will have a chance to experience a free-flowing river. Photo by Thomas O'Keefe.</span><br /></div><br />Paddlers owe a debt of gratitude to Keith Jensen who as former owner of Alder Creek and American Whitewater Regional Coordinator, represented paddling interest throughout the negotiations on this project. We also need to thank PGE, a utility that understands that rivers are a public resource and came to a decision that balances our need for power with the values that free-flowing rivers provide.<br /><br />Our next project will be to work with the Bureau of Land Management on developing a vision for the future of the Sandy River that preserves the resource value of lands along the river while providing opportunities for river-based recreation.<br /><br />For more information, links to web pages for all the stakeholders, and to follow the progress of Marmot Dam removal check out <a href="http://www.marmotdam.com/">MarmotDam.com</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-4904336612201713337?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-35181888527029194502007-07-08T18:25:00.000-07:002007-07-10T07:32:45.175-07:00Paddling the Salish SeaSalish Sea is the aboriginal name for the inland waters from Puget Sound to Johnstone Strait, a great inland waterway that includes Puget Sound, Strait of Georgia, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Since the retreat of the glaciers approximately 10,000 years ago native people have used the waters of the Salish Sea as the regional transportation network. I spend much of my time on the rivers that drain into the Salish Sea but every once in a while it's good to get out and explore the marine waters where all these rivers come together. Paddling is a means of reconnecting with our historical, cultural, and spiritual relationship to the waters that have nourished the body and soul of the people who called this place home for centuries. The Salish people mastered the art of efficient travel on the great inland sea through ocean-going canoes that were used for centuries.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpHMMwYiwSI/AAAAAAAAAM0/w_JsAa9jET0/s1600-h/salish_sea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpHMMwYiwSI/AAAAAAAAAM0/w_JsAa9jET0/s400/salish_sea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085069973796340002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Looking down on the Salish Sea (NASA image).</span><br /></div><br />Actually getting out in one of these canoes can be a challenge as they are not easy to rent or borrow and you need to get a crew together who wants to paddle one. Two years ago my friend Omar sent an email to a group of us that went something like this:<br /><br /><span><span style="font-style: italic;">I have been doing some thinking and have the start of a vision that I would like your help shaping. I have often pondered what it would be like to go on a group trip with everyone in one craft, working as a team. It should allow good opportunity for discussions, problem solving, and teamwork. I think I have found the craft for this trip--a Northern Dancer Canoe designed for groups of 5-10 paddlers in the tradition of a native dugout canoe. The canoe does not come with paddles, as each tribal member has a personal paddle that does not get rented. In the spirit of the trip, we will each make our own cedar northwest coast paddle.</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAwYiwPI/AAAAAAAAAMc/z2GaE7ddOD0/s1600-h/pullers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAwYiwPI/AAAAAAAAAMc/z2GaE7ddOD0/s400/pullers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085031284730937586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The "pullers" (paddlers) on the 2007 trip.</span><br /></div><br />With the seed planted, Omar<span> began to organize the trip. After calling Clipper Canoes, makers of the Northern Dancer, Omar tracked down different tribes who had purchased the boat over the past few years. Several of us went out to the Olympic Peninsula where we met with Benny from the </span><span><a href="http://www.squaxinisland.org/">Squaxin Island Tribe</a></span><span>. Benny took us out one morning and shared his paddling knowledge--we were hooked and we immediately set about the task of finding wood for our paddles. Through the spring of 2005 we searched the beaches on different trips for yellow or red cedar and soon everyone had ripped a board from a piece of driftwood. Ed took a course from noted carver </span><span>Ray Arcand and after a few more trips to museums and conversations with experts we were on our way.</span><br /><span><br />I missed the first trip in June 2005 as I was off in Alaska doing field work but I had started my paddle and in 2007 everyone decided it was time to do another trip. Actually getting a boat to use had been tricky. While a few tribes offer guided trips it's another matter to get one of the boats for your own journey. After many phone calls and long discussions, Omar tracked down </span><span class="describe">Aaron Reith with</span><span> <a href="http://www.takayatours.com/">Takaya Adventures</a>. Aaron helped us make special arrangements for a canoe in 2005 and after moving to </span><span><a href="http://www.tseycumtours.com/">Tseycum Canoe Tours</a>, Aaron once again helped us get boats for our trip out of Sidney in 2007.</span><span> As we launched he made a point of saying that we had special permission to take the boats out on our own and we felt honored to have the respect of the tribe and the privilege to experience this way of traveling the inland sea.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnZAYiwHI/AAAAAAAAALc/_SGsUcz0pS0/s1600-h/launch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnZAYiwHI/AAAAAAAAALc/_SGsUcz0pS0/s400/launch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085029502319509618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">We prepare to head out from the beach adjacent to the ferry terminal as one of the tribal members comes to send us on our way with a song.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnYgYiwEI/AAAAAAAAALE/hdzkKGcJJEM/s1600-h/canoe_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnYgYiwEI/AAAAAAAAALE/hdzkKGcJJEM/s400/canoe_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085029493729574978" border="0" /></a><span>Out on the water. Ed guides one of our canoes.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnYwYiwFI/AAAAAAAAALM/eEa44BCFFEM/s1600-h/canoe_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnYwYiwFI/AAAAAAAAALM/eEa44BCFFEM/s400/canoe_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085029498024542290" border="0" /></a><span>Our second canoe guided by Web.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKAYiwII/AAAAAAAAALk/SJ3yfpRmL3E/s1600-h/paddle_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKAYiwII/AAAAAAAAALk/SJ3yfpRmL3E/s400/paddle_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085030344133099650" border="0" /></a><span>On our journey we shared knowledge of carving techniques and soon after setting camp a couple guys found a nice cedar log that was quickly split into boards. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKQYiwJI/AAAAAAAAALs/JXZN8ciBb34/s1600-h/paddle_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKQYiwJI/AAAAAAAAALs/JXZN8ciBb34/s400/paddle_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085030348428066962" border="0" /></a><span>Ed eyes up one of the cedar boards determining what sort of paddle might emerge. The board itself guides the carving process as you scan the grain.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKQYiwKI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Qc0MlMoPxps/s1600-h/paddle_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKQYiwKI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Qc0MlMoPxps/s400/paddle_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085030348428066978" border="0" /></a><span>Web goes to work a new paddle after a group consultation. The next series of photos show the development of the paddle over the course of the weekend.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKgYiwLI/AAAAAAAAAL8/CGwlERN-9_o/s1600-h/paddle_4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKgYiwLI/AAAAAAAAAL8/CGwlERN-9_o/s400/paddle_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085030352723034290" border="0" /></a><span>The paddle starts to take on a basic shape with a hatchet that we use to rough out the basic form.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKwYiwMI/AAAAAAAAAME/WLl986EG1VE/s1600-h/paddle_5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGoKwYiwMI/AAAAAAAAAME/WLl986EG1VE/s400/paddle_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085030357018001602" border="0" /></a><span>A draw knife can then be used to start shaping the paddle.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAQYiwNI/AAAAAAAAAMM/G4ByPvhoNZA/s1600-h/paddle_6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAQYiwNI/AAAAAAAAAMM/G4ByPvhoNZA/s400/paddle_6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085031276141002962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">More work with the draw knife as you can start to recognize the clear form of the paddle.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAgYiwOI/AAAAAAAAAMU/YcogciP9VtY/s1600-h/paddle_7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAgYiwOI/AAAAAAAAAMU/YcogciP9VtY/s400/paddle_7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085031280435970274" border="0" /></a><span><span style="font-style: italic;">More detailed blade shaping with a crooked knife.</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnZAYiwGI/AAAAAAAAALU/K25LXY0KMB0/s1600-h/carving.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnZAYiwGI/AAAAAAAAALU/K25LXY0KMB0/s400/carving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085029502319509602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">As some worked on paddles others took the scraps to work on spoons, spatulas, and a gaff hook handle. Others just read or relaxed.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnYQYiwDI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ax_F2Ji8Zek/s1600-h/breakfast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGnYQYiwDI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ax_F2Ji8Zek/s400/breakfast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085029489434607666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A break from the carving--hanging out for a meal together.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAwYiwQI/AAAAAAAAAMk/zLu1Vn2oaNU/s1600-h/sunset_carving.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpAwYiwQI/AAAAAAAAAMk/zLu1Vn2oaNU/s400/sunset_carving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085031284730937602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mark carving as the sun sets.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpBAYiwRI/AAAAAAAAAMs/o9iI_EQLU50/s1600-h/sunset_paddle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RpGpBAYiwRI/AAAAAAAAAMs/o9iI_EQLU50/s400/sunset_paddle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085031289025904914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lyle guides a group out around the island at sunset.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was a great trip and a real joy to work together as team to experience the Salish Sea as it was traveled for centuries. I'm sure we will all be back out on the water sometime soon and a big thanks to the people of the Tseycum First Nation for sharing their boat with us for the weekend and making our trip possible.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3518188852702919450?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-1051700387343097102007-02-17T07:49:00.000-08:002007-03-04T08:23:55.852-08:00The Importance of Having a VisionFor the past few years I've been providing technical expertise to assist in the development of new management plans for our region's rivers. In particular I've had an interest in rivers regulated for hydropower production. This is an important energy source for the region, but we now have a greater understanding of the impacts these dams have on river ecosystems. In many cases operations can be modified and have been on many rivers. There are however a few rivers where the impacts are so great and the necessary modifications are so expensive that it is more cost effective to simply remove the dam. Removal of Edwards Dam in Maine during the summer of 1999 was a critical milestone in our society's relationship to dams. We now understand that these structures really are temporary features on the landscape. While they may have provided societal benefits at one time, we now have the ability to take a much more critical look at balancing the benefits of dams against their environmental cost.<br /><br />Condit Dam on the White Salmon is one of a 7 dams throughout the Pacific Northwest that has been scheduled for removal. Some would like to see the dam remain but the owner has determined that removing the dam will be more cost effective than bringing it up to modern environmental and safety standards given the limited production capacity of the hydropower project. While there are several permitting and engineering steps to removing a major dam, artist Daniel Dancer has also taught me that having a vision is one of the most important steps. Through a visioning process one can actually experience removal of the dam, making an abstract future event reality. Daniel develops community-based visions through <a href="http://www.artforthesky.com/">Art for the Sky</a> where individuals are pixels in giant living paintings. I think Daniel says it best:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">You can make sense of things when you see them from the sky... If we can do that then we can see the impacts of our decisions before we put them into effect and we'll treat the whole world in a completely different way. And I think it's essential that we learn how to activate this way of seeing if we're going to solve the issues we face today on this planet.</span> - Daniel Dancer, Art for the Sky<br /><br />I recently went out to Pendleton to experience the removal of Condit Dam myself. Over 800 school kids were the pixels in a dynamic sky painting where the river broke through Condit Dam and the salmon made their way home. Daniel had a kayak for me that I used in experiencing the first descent through a section of river that has been drowned beneath a reservoir for nearly a century. It was an incredible experience--one that seemed chaotic from the ground but that all came together from above.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/ReruG3LkZCI/AAAAAAAAAIg/oqahK2wWR3k/s1600-h/kids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/ReruG3LkZCI/AAAAAAAAAIg/oqahK2wWR3k/s400/kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038100934826419234" border="0" /></a>Chaos from the ground as school kids with blue t-shirts represent the pixels in the image of the river as viewed from above.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Rdf5_8_YzPI/AAAAAAAAAGs/xfloy6sITHM/s1600-h/LongMayYouRun72.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/Rdf5_8_YzPI/AAAAAAAAAGs/xfloy6sITHM/s400/LongMayYouRun72.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032765985708887282" border="0" /></a>The river flowing through Condit Dam for the first time as salmon make their way upstream.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RertlXLkZBI/AAAAAAAAAIY/9D3cYHsKOHU/s1600-h/salmon_return.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RertlXLkZBI/AAAAAAAAAIY/9D3cYHsKOHU/s400/salmon_return.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038100359300801554" border="0" /></a>Salmon making their way upstream to habitat that has been blocked by the dam.<br /></div><br />While we still have a lot of work to do to make the removal of this dam and others a reality, the work begins this summer with the removal of Marmot Dam on the Sandy River. What has become apparent is that having a vision is a critical step in realizing our goal of restoring rivers impacted by dams that no longer make sense.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Video Clips</span><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R5SrUvKsVYQ"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R5SrUvKsVYQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vBbF-Knw6_Y"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vBbF-Knw6_Y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-105170038734309710?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-50351928378014627162007-01-04T23:00:00.000-08:002007-01-05T08:03:24.126-08:00Future of DamsLast week was a slow one around the office so my son Aki and I (along with Elmo) headed south for a tour of rivers and dams in the Rogue, Klamath, and Feather River watersheds.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQMc01nI/AAAAAAAAAOk/GaJtad67_lQ/s1600-h/aki_elmo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQMc01nI/AAAAAAAAAOk/GaJtad67_lQ/s400/aki_elmo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015442359529559666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Aki and Elmo at the Iron Gate Hatchery on the Klamath River.</span><br /></div><br />While dams provide undeniable benefits to society in the form of water supplies, energy, and transportation, it all comes at a cost to the world's freshwater ecocsystems. Colleagues in Sweeden recently published a study in the journal Science titled "<a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/308/5720/405">Fragmentation and Flow Regulation of the World's Large River Systems</a>" documenting that more than half of the world's large rivers are impacted by dams. The cumulative impact of the world's reservoirs that store 6500 km3 of water (equivalent to 15 percent of the world's annual freshwater runoff) is significant because dams affect sediment transport, elements of natural flow regimes including seasonal timing and magnitude of flows, and fish migration and overall habitat connectivity.<br /><br />Over the past decade we have begun to take a more critical look at the benefits of dams relative to the costs. Seven dams in the Pacific Northwest are currently scheduled for removal over the next five years. In an editorial published in the New Year's Day issue of the Seattle Times, the paper noted that "license renewals, operating expenses and other business liabilities all played a role in making the abandonment of the seven dams a logical conclusion."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZral8c01wI/AAAAAAAAAQA/IQAYd3G_gbo/s1600-h/savage_rapids_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZral8c01wI/AAAAAAAAAQA/IQAYd3G_gbo/s400/savage_rapids_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015561480447514370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Savage Rapids Dam on the Rogue River.</span><br /></div><br />Our first stop was to the Savage Rapids Dam on the Rogue River. The Rogue River was one of the nation's first federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and earlier this year I had an opportunity to spend four days on the river where it flows through a remote river canyon on its way to the Pacific. It was during the annual salmon migration and we had a great time watching the powerful fish work their way upstream. Many of these fish ultimately encounter Savage Rapids Dam, an outdated irrigation dam about 5 miles upstream of Grants Pass. This dam is 40 feet tall and although it has a fish ladder it does not meet current standards for fish passage. An economic analyis of the project demonstrated that it would cost more to bring the dam up to current standards than to just remove it and replace the dam with pumps to meet irrigation needs. That process to install the pumps is now underway and the dam is currently scheduled to be removed by 2009. The agreement that made this possible came about through the joint efforts of irrigators who have depended on the dam for over 80 years and conservation groups who have long recognized the opportunity for restoration.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQ8c01rI/AAAAAAAAAPE/2SZilRaw8MA/s1600-h/gold_ray_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQ8c01rI/AAAAAAAAAPE/2SZilRaw8MA/s400/gold_ray_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015442372414461618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Gold Ray Dam on the Rogue River.</span><br /></div><br />Gold Ray Dam is a former hydropower project on the Rogue River just upstream of the town of Gold Hill. It is thus upstream of Savage Rapids Dam. Construction of the first dam began in 1902 and it started producing power in 1904. When the powerplant was decommissioned in 1972 the generation capacity was 1250 kw. While the dam no longer produces hydropower it continues to negatively impact fish. It has a fish ladder but it is not maintained and flows on the river are typically higher than the design flow for the ladder.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralcc01uI/AAAAAAAAAPw/jHod53FNlZM/s1600-h/north_fork_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralcc01uI/AAAAAAAAAPw/jHod53FNlZM/s400/north_fork_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015561471857579746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">North Fork Dam on the Rogue River.</span><br /></div><br />Continuing up the Rogue River you pass by a massive Army Corps of Engineers flood control project before you encounter this active hydropower project on the river. PacifiCorp has recently applied for a new license to operate this project which takes flow from several different tributaries, pipes it thorugh a network of canals, and then sends it through turbines before returning the flow to the river. In my view PacifiCorp got off easy on this project as the environmental review from federal regulators calls for a relatively modest suite of mitigation measures. I've been working to make sure that the public can get access to the river and PacifiCorp has vigorously protested even that small request. The privledge for a private company to utilize a public waterway for power production comes with a certain responsibility to meet the broader public interest. In fact the Federal Power Act specifically states that a hydropower power project must be part of a "comprehensive plan" for development of the waterway that includes non-power uses of the river.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQcc01oI/AAAAAAAAAOs/dapbc3XE6vI/s1600-h/avenue_giant_boulders.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQcc01oI/AAAAAAAAAOs/dapbc3XE6vI/s400/avenue_giant_boulders.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015442363824526978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Avenue of the Giant Boulders.</span><br /></div><br />The Avenue of the Giant Boulders is normally dewatered as the river is diverted around this high-gradient reach for hydropower production but on the day of our visit flows exceeded the capacity of the powerhouse and the "excess" flowed down the river. It's an impressive and what's even more amazing is that it has been run by kayak.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralcc01tI/AAAAAAAAAPo/4m0XMuqsKAQ/s1600-h/iron_gate_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralcc01tI/AAAAAAAAAPo/4m0XMuqsKAQ/s400/iron_gate_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015561471857579730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Iron Gate Dam on the Klamath.</span><br /></div><br />We left the Rogue watershed as we climbed up over the mountains headed south on I-5 and dropped into the Klamath watershed. Iron Gate dam is the first dam on the Klamath River as salmon make their way upstream from the Pacific Ocean. It's also ground zero for the controversy surrounding this hydropower project which has had a devastating impact on what was once one of the most productive salmon runs on the west coast. This is one of those projects where one has to seriously question whether the modest power that is produced provides a benefit that exceeds the extreme cost to the resource. Federal regulators got an earful last month from thousands of members of the public who protested issuance of a new license for the series of dams that make up this project. Settlement discussions over dam removal continue and we could see the governors of Oregon and California step into the mix here soon. I worked with colleagues last month to draft comments on this project asking for a more comprehensive review of alternatives. The public clearly wants to explore removal of this project and federal regulators have a responsibility to conduct a complete review so the public can make an informed decision. At this point it does appear that bringing the dams up to current standards would be more expensive than just removing the project and in other cases this has lead to an economic decision for dam removal. It could happen here too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralMc01sI/AAAAAAAAAPg/0vxRRivUOLE/s1600-h/hatchery_chinook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralMc01sI/AAAAAAAAAPg/0vxRRivUOLE/s400/hatchery_chinook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015561467562612418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Chinook salmon hatchery at the base of Iron Gate Dam.</span><br /></div><br />With the dams blocking access to habitat upstream, fish are now raised in concrete raceways below the dam. While this was acceptable 50 years ago, current science documents that this approach is generally not effective for long-term population sustainability and the law now requires provisions for fish passage.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralsc01vI/AAAAAAAAAP4/RtVPqeZgQ9Y/s1600-h/oroville_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZralsc01vI/AAAAAAAAAP4/RtVPqeZgQ9Y/s400/oroville_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015561476152547058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Oroville Dam on the Feather River.</span><br /></div><br />Continuing on down to California we went to visit the Oroville Project on the Feather River to stay with my colleague Dave for a couple nights. At 770 feet this is the tallest dam in the US and it can best be described as one giant pile of dirt. It is all part of the California State Water Project providing drinking and irrigation water for Central and Southern California. Hydroelectricity for the dam is used to power pumps that send the water south.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQsc01qI/AAAAAAAAAO8/zJkS_dTtwVM/s1600-h/fish_barrier_dam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQsc01qI/AAAAAAAAAO8/zJkS_dTtwVM/s400/fish_barrier_dam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015442368119494306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Fish barrier dam on the Feather River.</span><br /></div><br />To keep fish from making their way up to the main dams on the Feather River the fish diversion dam directs them into the hatchery. While a number of river conservation organizations signed the settlement agreement for a future license for this project, a new set of mitigation requirements will help us achieve an appropriate balance between power and ecological values of the river. The dams come at a cost to the overall health of the river but we accept that in light of the benefits they provide to the community. In the incredible foresight of the Federal Power Act, the license for this project will last for a predetermined term. After a half century we will be provided with another opportunity to critically evaluate the project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQsc01pI/AAAAAAAAAO0/-kpzr7xLNV8/s1600-h/butte_creek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RZpuQsc01pI/AAAAAAAAAO0/-kpzr7xLNV8/s400/butte_creek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015442368119494290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Butte Creek</span><br /></div><br />A highlight of our trip was a day on the water and Aki's first winter paddling trip on class II Butte Creek. Restoration of Butte Creek has been a success worth celebrating. Following removal of a series of irrigation dams salmon quickly returned to the river. Bruce Babbitt who led the charge on a nationwide dam busters tour wrote of how we should critically evaluate the future of dams on places like Butte Creek and the questions we need to ask:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Is this dam still serving its purpose? Do the benefits justify the destruction of fish runs and drying up of rivers? Can't we find a better balance between our needs and the needs of the river? ... No, we're not taking aim at all dams. But we should strike a balance between the needs of the river and the demands of river users."</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-5035192837801462716?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-35199336329425499262006-12-05T18:30:00.000-08:002006-12-05T18:29:16.347-08:00US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NCWhere I once I got the question, "have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?" I seem to be getting the question, "have you heard about that whitewater park in Charlotte?" Well I have, but hearing about it is not quite the same as actually experiencing it so I arranged my last cross-country trip to change planes in Charlotte and make a little detour to see what all the fuss was about. The US National Whitewater Center is only about 15 minutes from the airport on the west side of town along the Catawba River.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXWWSZ4EeDI/AAAAAAAAAEg/8U4Wo5-nd3A/s1600-h/center_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXWWSZ4EeDI/AAAAAAAAAEg/8U4Wo5-nd3A/s400/center_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5005071803820046386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The main building at the US National Whitewater Center houses the restaurant, conference center, and shop.</span><br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Finding the park requires you to weave your way through a residential neighborhood and down a gravel road before you reach the big parking area at the top of a hill. I arrived shortly before noon on Sunday and if the proliferation of downriver and slalom race boats is any indication, it appears the racer crowd has found their new home. The pumps were still silent and I walked around the dry channel checking out the engineering behind the various features. Soon the pumps came to life and within a half hour the concrete channel had been transformed into a river. I suited up and took out a demo boat to see what the course was like.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGE54Ed3I/AAAAAAAAACA/BHjPU6QlzSg/s1600-h/course_before.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGE54Ed3I/AAAAAAAAACA/BHjPU6QlzSg/s400/course_before.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702135984879474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A view from the patio looking down over the "competition channel"<br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGFJ4Ed4I/AAAAAAAAACI/QD4_3F_orN4/s1600-h/course_watered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGFJ4Ed4I/AAAAAAAAACI/QD4_3F_orN4/s400/course_watered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702140279846786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is the same view with water. This is one of the more challenging rapids on the course.<br /><br /></span></div> Before I review the experience I think it's worth saying a little bit about myself and what I enjoy as a paddler. First, I think of myself as a river cruiser and explorer. I'm all about discovering new places and experiencing wilderness areas. I just happen to use rivers as my mode of travel. That being said I just love being on the water and have been around rivers, creeks, and lakes my entire life. I love to paddle and find enjoyment in paddling around a swimming pool if that's my only option for the day.<br /><br />The whitewater course is actually a set of three different channels. The trip begins at the upper pool where a concrete ramp allows you to easily enter the water.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRG2p4Ed_I/AAAAAAAAADA/qLcsdizKDiI/s1600-h/upper_pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRG2p4Ed_I/AAAAAAAAADA/qLcsdizKDiI/s400/upper_pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702990683371506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The upper pool is the start of the course with the "competition channel" off to the right and the longer "wilderness channel" and "freestyle channel" off to the left.</span><br /></div><br />To your right the river heads down the "competition channel" which drops 21' over 1000' distance. This corresponds to a gradient of 111' per mile and paddlers are challenged with some rapids that rate class III and IV. The course flows in front of the main building with restaurant and conference center (set to open soon). It then flows around to the left and settles out in the lower pool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFup4EdwI/AAAAAAAAABI/uSvpaseEUf0/s1600-h/adjustable_flippers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFup4EdwI/AAAAAAAAABI/uSvpaseEUf0/s400/adjustable_flippers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004701753732790018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Adjustable flippers let you set the eddy on the competition channel.</span><br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrJ4Ed8I/AAAAAAAAACo/5QYhsSLL80o/s1600-h/eddy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrJ4Ed8I/AAAAAAAAACo/5QYhsSLL80o/s400/eddy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702793114875842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A challenging sequence on the competition channel. Note the power of the eddy under the gates on river right.</span><br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>The other channels leave the upper pool to the left where they leave as a single channel before splitting up into the "freestyle channel" and "wilderness channel". The "freestyle channel" is the slightly more challenging of the two while the "wilderness channel" provides a short reach suitable for instruction.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrJ4Ed7I/AAAAAAAAACg/AAuW6aBUcNM/s1600-h/dr_race.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrJ4Ed7I/AAAAAAAAACg/AAuW6aBUcNM/s400/dr_race.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702793114875826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Downriver racers lining up for runs down the "freestyle channel".</span><br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGFJ4Ed5I/AAAAAAAAACQ/eBc9kL_jPSU/s1600-h/downriver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGFJ4Ed5I/AAAAAAAAACQ/eBc9kL_jPSU/s400/downriver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702140279846802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Downriver race boat at the first rapid before the channel splits into two.</span><br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrZ4Ed9I/AAAAAAAAACw/GQNTTuPQuqo/s1600-h/instructional.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrZ4Ed9I/AAAAAAAAACw/GQNTTuPQuqo/s400/instructional.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702797409843154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The river left option is the "wilderness channel" that provides opportunities for instruction.</span><br /><br />When the two channels come back together the course enters the "bigwater channel" featuring some rapids before you end up at the lower pool. From the lower pool massive pumps suck the water back up to the top pool. Paddlers get on a conveyor belt and ride it back up to the upper pool which means you just stay in your boat the whole time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFu54EdyI/AAAAAAAAABY/HAiS1ncMGwI/s1600-h/bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFu54EdyI/AAAAAAAAABY/HAiS1ncMGwI/s400/bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004701758027757346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The entrarnce to the "bigwater channel".</span><br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFu54EdxI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Bmqh4pNjjhE/s1600-h/bigwater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFu54EdxI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Bmqh4pNjjhE/s400/bigwater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004701758027757330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">In the thick of it on the "bigwater channel".</span><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrZ4Ed-I/AAAAAAAAAC4/LZ1AvAWb458/s1600-h/pumphouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGrZ4Ed-I/AAAAAAAAAC4/LZ1AvAWb458/s400/pumphouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702797409843170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The pumphouse.</span><br /><br /></div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGE54Ed2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/MMyYNyQjb4U/s1600-h/conveyor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGE54Ed2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/MMyYNyQjb4U/s400/conveyor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702135984879458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Taking the conveyor belt ride back up to the top.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My overall impression is the course is it reminded me of trips to the water park of my youth only way more fun. It does not offer the experience of paddling a real river but it's still a good time. That being said I can see this would be a great place to work on your skills. The "competition channel" was a ton of fun. The drops came in quick succession and spectators were lined up along the most challenging section looking for carnaage where the river took a 90 degree bend to the left. One of the best aspects of the course was the opportunity to try different things each time you went through. You could experiment on the same drop several times hitting it at a slightly different angle, focusing on your body lean, or using a different sequence of strokes. If you didn't like the result you could try sometime different the next lap through. Slalom paddlers have of course been doing this sort of repetition for years. As for the character of the "river", it reminded me of paddling on the Crooked River in Oregon earlier this spring. We were on it at moderately high flow and the first rapid is a long continuous section where the river flows between steep vertical bedrock walls. As the river bounced off of the walls, chaotic eddies formed and you wanted to make sure you kept to the center of the channel. I could see intermediate paddlers were having some issues with the strong eddies on the course.<br /><br />I see the real potential of this course being a place that is well suited for instruction and training. In just the short hour I was there I focused on my technique on a couple of the rapids and was able to experiment with different angles coming into a couple of the bigger drops. It would be great to do a clinic here where you could easily video tape participants, go in and review your run, and then go back out again. I have heard some criticism of the opportunities provided for beginners but the "wilderness channel" does look like a good reach for instruction. Beginners would probably want to get out and carry back up before continuing on down the "bigwater channel". The upper and lower pools also offer great space for flatwater drills.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXWWSZ4EeCI/AAAAAAAAAEY/KEJ8c1k6yCI/s1600-h/bigwater2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXWWSZ4EeCI/AAAAAAAAAEY/KEJ8c1k6yCI/s400/bigwater2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5005071803820046370" border="0" /></a><br />The real question we've all been asking is how do these whitewater parks fit into a sport that emerged out of a tradition of river exploration? Clearly we've come a long way since the sport was defined by river crusiers. As someone who works daily on the protection and restoration of rivers across the country I'm left wondering how a water park fits into the advocacy work I do. These parks have the potential to introduce more people to paddling and having folks actively engaged in outdoor recreation is always a good thing. As my colleague Dave says, "couch potatoes make lousy river advocates". I also see opportunities for whitewater parks to introduce youth to the sport and in my walk around the facilities I could see the developers of the Charlotte facility had paid attention to providing a family-oriented experience. What the course does not provide is the experience of a real river. I will be thinking about the role of whitewater parks more over the next year but the one thing I can confidently say--it sure was a fun way to spend the afternoon.<br /><br /></div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGEp4Ed1I/AAAAAAAAABw/f2NLG63Unbg/s1600-h/climbing_wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRGEp4Ed1I/AAAAAAAAABw/f2NLG63Unbg/s400/climbing_wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004702131689912146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Whitewater is only one of many outdoor activities at the facility that includes a climbing wall, challenge course, and an expanding network of mountain biking trails.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFvJ4Ed0I/AAAAAAAAABo/WgzZ16uw5jI/s1600-h/climbing_kids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXRFvJ4Ed0I/AAAAAAAAABo/WgzZ16uw5jI/s400/climbing_kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004701762322724674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">There are things for the kids to do too and this bouldering pad was a popular spot.</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3519933632942549926?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-58590648912766615852006-12-04T06:24:00.000-08:002006-12-04T07:21:22.380-08:00What is the Outdoor Alliance?I was in Washington DC this past week for the first full meeting of the Outdoor Alliance. We formed as a coalition over the past year and members include Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Hiking Society, American Whitewater, International Mountain Biking Association, and Winter Wildlands Alliance. While these organizations have all worked together over the years in an informal capacity, the Turner Foundation has provided generous support to bring the group together as a formal coalition.<br /><br />The Mission of the Outdoor Allliance is as follows:<br /><br /><i>The Outdoor Alliance is a framework designed to enable the Member Organizations to develop a coordinated national policy agenda and voice to promote sustainable, human-powered outdoor activities that create opportunities for healthy recreation. The Alliance supports access to, and responsible stewardship of the lands, waters, air and habitat that are vital to a quality outdoor recreation experience.</i><br /><br />And our Purpose is:<br /><br /><i>Promote links between government at all levels, public health groups, and the recreation community to encourage outdoor recreation and volunteerism to help advance the goal of building a stronger, healthier America.</i><br /><br />So we have some great ideas and concepts that the Executive Directors of the member organizations have been formulating over the past year, but now it's time to talk implementation and start putting our ideas into action. What has become apparent is that for the first time those who directly use public lands for the recreational opportunities they will provide will have a voice in Washington, DC. We are in the process of developing a coordinated national policy agenda and will serve as the voice for sustainable, human-powered outdoor activities that create opportunities for healthy recreation. <br /><br />Given my own background in ecosystem science and natural resources management, I am most excited with the opportunity we have to serve as the voice for resource stewardship. Protecting the future of our public lands depends on an engaged public who is out enjoying the resource and able to serve as an effective advocacy base. All of our outdoor recreation experiences depend on clean water and air, quality fish and wildlife habitat, and access to the public lands that are a defining feature of our nation. Our knowledge of ecosystem science continues to advance but actually translating this knowledge into policy or management actions requires the support of an informed and engaged public. A coalition of organizations that understands and embraces this linkage has a real opportunity to make a difference in the world.<br /><br />Over the week we had a great set of meetings and the brainstorming we did was inspiring. We met with several high ranking individuals at National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Army Corps of Engineers. In addition several of us fanned out to talk to Congressional staffers. While many of these agencies have a mandate to provide quality recreation experiences they face a constant struggle in these tight budget times. Over the coming months we will be developing a core set of strategies to focus on specific programs needing our support. I look forward to playing a role in the development of this coalition as an effective voice in the protection of our public lands and waters.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-5859064891276661585?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-83394416182355256542006-12-02T16:25:00.000-08:002006-12-02T16:57:41.768-08:00Wilderness on the Calawah River<div align="left">I look forward to Thanksgiving every year and our annual trip out to the Olympic Peninsula to explore rivers and enjoy good times with friends and family. I've been heading out there for about ten years now and working my way through Gary Korb's guidebook to the whitewater rivers. I have always thought of my kayak as a way to experience the rivers and forests of the Olympic Peninsula in much the same way that others hike the trails.<br /><br />Some of our experiences on the OP's "blue trails" are better than others but it's always an adventure. Last year we got on the Lyre, which drains Crescent Lake to the north and is a relatively young river that formed following the landslide that separated Lake Crescent from the Elwha Drainage. As it turns out the river does not have the transport capacity to move wood downstream and we proceeded to hike down the river with our kayaks as we made our way over, under, and around dozens of log jams.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbGJ4EdvI/AAAAAAAAAAs/MJqJduEscsg/s1600-h/lyre.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004091928506300146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbGJ4EdvI/AAAAAAAAAAs/MJqJduEscsg/s400/lyre.jpg" border="0" /></a><i>Most of our trip down the Lyre went something like this as we didn't actually spend much time in our boats.</i><br /></p><p>I'm not sure I'd call what we did on the Lyre a paddling trip but it was certainly an adventure. This year we turned our attention the South Fork Calawah. This river flows through a corner of Olympic National Park which offers some of the region's most incredible opportunities to explore wilderness rivers. With my friends Mike and Omar we set out for the river which requires some effort. You have to drive to the Rugged Ridge Trailhead on National Forest land and then hike approximately 3 miles into the river. The trail was in good shape but we quickly realized that it had not received recent maintenance. We had to hike over some downfall and the trail was washed out at most of the stream crossings. After traveling about 1/3 of the way, and with memories of last year's experience on the Lyre, Mike decided to turn back.<br /><br />After about 2.5 hours of hiking Omar and I were finally at the river. We took a break for a quick lunch and then launched off downstream. Within a short distance of the put-in the river squeezed between the narrow walls of a bedrock gorge that defines so many of the classic kayak runs on the Olympic Peninsula. Korb calls this drop West Virginia and we were able to boat scout our way into the canyon. Polished sedimentary layers towered overhead as waterfalls cascaded off the rim of the canyon walls.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbF54EduI/AAAAAAAAAAk/eZP4TfkcTEs/s1600-h/sf_cal_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004091924211332834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbF54EduI/AAAAAAAAAAk/eZP4TfkcTEs/s400/sf_cal_2.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><i>Omar makes his way downstream after emerging from West Virginia.</i><br /><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbF54EdtI/AAAAAAAAAAc/9e78xQH_Tek/s1600-h/sf_cal_3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004091924211332818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbF54EdtI/AAAAAAAAAAc/9e78xQH_Tek/s400/sf_cal_3.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><i>In the canyon with waterfalls coming in from the sides.</i><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbFp4EdsI/AAAAAAAAAAU/XbhyuuROovw/s1600-h/sf_cal_4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004091919916365506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbFp4EdsI/AAAAAAAAAAU/XbhyuuROovw/s400/sf_cal_4.jpg" border="0" /></a><i>More beautiful river in the canyons of the Calawah.</i> </p><p><br />The bedrock canyons only last for a 1/4 mile or so before the river opens up and flows through beautiful old-growth forest. Impressive sitka spruce tower above the river on either side. The river itself remains interesting with fun boulder garden rapids that continue down towards the confluence with the Sitkum where the river begins to open up. Once we joined the Sitkum we were on a slightly bigger river and out in the National Forest. We continued on to the confluence with Hyas Creek where our car was waiting.<br /><br />The South Fork Calawah was a great trip and a beautiful wilderness river that is accessible to intermediate paddlers. It does require significant effort to get in as the hike is moderately strenuous with some up and down over half a dozen small tributary drainages you need to cross on the way to the river. For a wilderness river experience the river itself is amazing and although it's a short trip, I would highly recommend it for those who enjoy exploring the rivers of the Olympic Peninsula.<br /><br />While the trip on the river was memorable the real adventure was getting back home. Although my Prius provides great fuel economy it is not a snow car. With 6-8" of snow along Highway 101 we only barely made it home. We had to get a pushed out of the snow three times, and just making our way the 15 miles along Lake Crescent took about 3 hours. We did make it home though and I'm sure we'll be out again next year for a new adventure I have in mind.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbFp4EdrI/AAAAAAAAAAM/pvuFTd500v8/s1600-h/snowstorm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004091919916365490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zh_r0t25qPA/RXIbFp4EdrI/AAAAAAAAAAM/pvuFTd500v8/s400/snowstorm.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><i>Cars lined up along Highway 101 by Lake Crescent.</i> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-8339441618235525654?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-79900492598076169402006-11-18T09:05:00.000-08:002006-11-27T17:21:31.894-08:00Rivers in ArtI was in Washington DC this week at meetings with my colleagues with the Hydropower Reform Coalition who work to represent the public interest in the regulation of hydropower facilities for the benefit of fish, wildlife, people on our nation's rivers. It was a good week as I met with a couple of the new Commissioners over at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and also had a chance to sit down with Senator Murray. While the policy work was fun, it was a real pleasure to have a bit of time between meetings to view some of my favorite paintings on display in the museums. I have always been a real fan of 19th century American Painting, and in particular the Hudson River School, since my art history classes in high school and our trips to view Thomas Cole's Voyage of Life on display at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, NY just a short drive from the town where I grew up.<br /><br />The art of this period parallels the exploration and settlement of the American Frontier and explores the wilderness landscape in a sharp departure from European art of the same period. At the same time that the artists of the Hudson River School were interpreting the rivers, forests, and mountains of the nation poets such as William Cullen Bryant and writers such as Henry David Thoraeu and John Muir were beginning to explore themes that would form the foundation for an American concept of Wilderness, a concept that was later refined by individuals such as Aldo Leopold and Bob Marshall and ultimately tackled by Congress with the passage of the Wilderness Act.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/703451/fischer_great_horseshoe_fall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/400/343552/fischer_great_horseshoe_fall.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I found this painting of Niagara Falls painted by Alvan Fisher in 1820 tucked away in a hallway in the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. It's an interesting painting representing one of the early illustrations of a scene that was soon to become a symbol of the epic scale of America's scenic wonders and natural beauty.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/258232/niagara.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/400/112002/niagara.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In a departure from the more traditional views looking upstream at the falls that were painted by Fisher and others, Frederic Church took a dramatic approach by placing the vantage point right at the lip of Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side in his 1857 painting of Niagara Falls. Unfortunately this painting, owned by the Corcorran gallery, was off on tour so I did not actually get to see it in person. I love this painting because it is my favorite depiction of the power of water and really draws you in with the energy you experience at the lip of a big waterfall.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/160066/floatboatmen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/400/661873/floatboatmen.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The Jolly Flatboatmen was painted in 1846 and hangs over in the National Gallery and has always been one of my favorite paintings. The thing I really enjoy about this painting is the connection between people and the river. Our transportation system is dominated by highways, trains, and air transport but at one time rivers were the primary highway of commerce. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/121351/white_horse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/400/936607/white_horse.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I have always had this focus on American landscape paintings and have not spent much time exploring what the European artists were up to at the time, but while I was in town the National Gallery had a great show of John Contstable's paintings of the Stour River in England. These are the 6 foot landscapes and the White Horse which was in the show and seen above was painted in 1819. What's interesting about these paintings is the contrast with the American experience that we see in the paintings of the Hudson River School that were to come a few years later. The Stour River is depicted as a working river with tow paths, locks, mills, and dams. The show was fascinating because it paired up the finished landscape paintings with full size oil sketches and smaller drawings that Constable made in develop the concept for a painting. Now spread throughout museums around the world the paintings and studies were all brought together in one show.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/moran_yellowstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/moran_yellowstone.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Turning back to the American experience and an appreciation for the scenic wonders of the continent, one is drawn to the paintings of Thomas Moran. Moran is well known for his spectacular images of Yellowstone. His watercolors along with the photographs of William Henry Jackson played a pivotal role in the creation of America's first National Park. As no members of Congress had been to Yellowstone, Ferdinand Hayden, who led the 1871 government survey to Yellowstone, brought the visual testimony to Capitol Hill. The approach proved effective and the Park was established in 1872. Shortly thereafter Congress appropriated $10,000 for the purchase of Moran's painting, The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The river remains the longest undammed river in the Western United States at 671 miles from its source to the Missouri River.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/moran_yellowstone_gallery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/moran_yellowstone_gallery.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The painting now hangs in the Renwick Museum just a couple blocks from the Whitehouse along with two other large Moran landscapes and framed by dozens of George Catlin paintings of Native Americans on the great plains. It's a neat gallery set up in the style of a 19th century museum.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/632525/bierstadt_among.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/400/647713/bierstadt_among.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Albert Bierdstadt painted some of the most famous images of the Sierras from the 19th century as he provided a visual representation of a landscape that John Muir was writing about. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/bierstadt_sierra_gallery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/bierstadt_sierra_gallery.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Bierstadt's painting is wonderfully displayed in an alcove in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/815515/lackawanna.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/400/543518/lackawanna.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />As the 19th century passed into the 20th century we would see more art that would explore themes of taming the wilderness frontier. While it does not depict a river, I have always enjoyed Lackawanna Valley painted by George Inness in 1855 and on view in the National Gallery. It is one of the early paintings to introduce industrial progress into the American landscape. A train transports coal through the valley and the fresh-cut tree stumps show a landscape that has been recently cleared.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/298623/achelous_hercules.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6835/1119/400/936352/achelous_hercules.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Thomas Hart Benton s 1947 mural Achelous and Hercules, in the National Museum of American Art, portrays the taming of the land and its bounty, and specifically the Missouri River that the Army Corps of Engineers was busy harnessing for the "benefit" of society. In Greek mythology Achelous is the diety of rivers and although he would assume different forms he is typically depicted as a bull. Hercules broke off one of his horns and it became the Cornucopia. The Army Corps of Engineers was working to harness the "wild river" that tore off like a bull across the floodplain each spring. Only now are we beginning to consider the ecosystem services naturally flowing rivers provide, and the expense incurred in trying to control them (see John McPhee's The Control of Nature).<br /><br />So that was the trip to DC. I could write about all our meetings that consumed the bulk of my time but it's not often I get a chance to see these great paintings.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7990049259807616940?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-7206665354303928782006-11-08T10:26:00.000-08:002006-11-08T21:55:06.456-08:00Rivers in FloodRivers throughout the region have been at record levels following intense rains on Monday November 6, 2006. Here are some photos from the Snoqualmie River drainage the following morning with some reference photos at lower flows. This is clearly a channel-forming flood event.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/mid_fork.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/mid_fork.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">The Middle Fork Snoqualmie at 22,000 cfs.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/island_drop_flows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/island_drop_flows.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Island Drop Rapid on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie at 22,000 cfs (left) and at more moderate flows of about 1500 cfs (right).</div><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/island_drop_flooding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/island_drop_flooding.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Looking upstream at Island Drop Rapid at 22,000 cfs on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/snoqualmie_falls_high.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/snoqualmie_falls_high.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Snoqualmie Falls at 47,000 cfs.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/snoqualmie_falls_low.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/snoqualmie_falls_low.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Snoqualmie Falls at more moderate flows.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-720666535430392878?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-65441191665220401072006-11-06T21:24:00.000-08:002006-11-08T09:34:42.176-08:00Beyond the Guidebook<b>Exploring the Upper Sultan Drainage.</b><br /><br />One of the great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is the thousands of river miles available for exploration and adventure. While I have been a lifelong paddler, that's just a means to the end of my real passion which is exploring rivers. <br /><br />While the classics of the Cascades have probably been discovered there are still some nuggets to be found here and there. Over the past few years groups have explored upstream reaches of Canyon Creek on the Stillaguamish, Lightning Creek in North Cascades National Park, North Fork Tolt, and the North Fork Skokomish in Olympic National Park. These explorers have returned with reports of sections of rivers few have seen. Over the past couple years I have been a stakeholder in negotiations over the future management of the Sultan River which provides water and power for Snohomish County. Andy Bridge, who designs paddles for Werner Paddles, lives on the river and has been the primary local volunteer engaged in this effort. While our focus has been on the incredibly scenic gorge reach below Culmback Dam, Andy has been exploring the upper reaches of the watershed where steep creeks emerge from some of the most rugged terrain in the Cascades. So when Andy called me this past weekend to say levels looked good for an exploratory on Elk Creek, I knew it was time to dust off the creeking gear and call a start to the fall boating season.<br /><br />Shuttle logistics are easy on Elk Creek: you hike up as far as you want to paddle. The road ends at the bridge across Elk Creek and the wilderness of the Upper Sultan begins. This is not true Wilderness as the drainage shows past evidence of harvest activity, but as you step off onto the old road up the valley that is being reclaimed by the forest you quickly realize you are entering a region where few individuals pass. On the borders of the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness this is rugged terrain without maintained trails but here you find opportunities for exploration less than 2 hours from downtown Seattle. Remnants of old-growth remain and high bedrock walls tower overhead. Thick tapestries of moss hanging down from trees along the trail were clear evidence of the more than 15' of rain this valley sees.<br /><br />We hiked for about two hours up the old road bed and over a couple of creeks where concrete crossings provided evidence of a past era. As the road further degraded we hiked down the hill to the creek. When we arrived we found low water and were immediately faced with a large log jam to portage. As we shouldered our boats and began hiking downstream, we were left wondering if we had put in too high.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/putin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/putin.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Andy Bridge at the put-in for Elk Creek.</div><br /><br />Our situation quickly improved though as small tributaries poured in from the sides and the creek grew in volume. We had a couple more wood portages interspersed with some fun class IV. Impressive scenery bordered the creek as mountains disappeared up into the clouds and captured the moisture that fueled waterfalls hundreds of feet high.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/mountains.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/mountains.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Elk Creek with Red Mountain towering up into the clouds.</div><br /><br />After a couple more log limbo moves we started to really hit a groove as the creek began to weave its way through boulder gardens and dropped over a couple of ledges. We portaged part of a three tiered ledge although it did appear there was a line. We then came up to a rapid with a large boulder on river left. It looked like a fun drop but a few strategically placed logs, including one pointing straight out into the current, made the line just a little too tight. We opted to walk it but put in below to run some of the best rapids of the day.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/rapid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/rapid.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Looking downstream into a fun class IV stretch.</div><br /><br />We were crusing along when we came to a class 3 rapid that disappeared around the corner. It looked good but we could not see our next eddy so I hopped out for a look. I quickly realized that the river plunged into a challenging class V gorge. The entire river, squeezed between narrow bedrock walls, churned violently in a big hole at the entrance. Downstream we could see at least 5 more challenging holes. It was probably not unrunnable but it looked like potential trouble at this level so we began the difficult scramble along river left. From the bottom of the gorge we encountered great continuous whitewater including one of the best stretches of the run which begins upstream around the corner above the bridge and finishes off just below the bridge. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/bridge_rapid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/bridge_rapid.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center">Looking upstream from the Elk Creek Bridge near the take-out.</div><br /><br />After passing under the bridge we continued on downstream as the river tapered off to class III and once we hit our first log portage we decided to take-out and hike back up to the road.<br /><br />Was Elk Creek a new classic? Not quite, but it was certainly a fun way to spend the day and great way to explore a hidden river valley that few people have seen and probably nobody else has paddled. Sections were reminiscent of the Foss or the Rapid in the Skykomish drainage but this run is shorter and with the hike in the run is more work to get to. Levels were about right for an exploratory (the nearby South Fork Sultan was at 300-400 cfs). It was a little low for some of the rapids but just right for others.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-6544119166522040107?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-38318322308645507342006-11-03T17:10:00.000-08:002006-11-06T21:28:42.419-08:00Condit Dam: What's Next?<b>Klickitat PUD explores ownership of the dam but financial risks are significant.</b><br /><br />On September 22, 1999 PacifiCorp signed an agreement to remove Condit Dam on the White Salmon River. The agreement represents the culmination of two years of negotiations between resource managers and over a dozen separate stakeholder groups who enjoy the White Salmon River. The agreement calls for removal of the 125-foot-tall concrete dam that since 1913 has diverted water from the natural channel obstructing downstream navigation and blocking upstream fish passage. While the removal process continues to move forward and is scheduled for fall 2008, Klickitat County PUD recently raised the possibility that they would acquire the dam and take over operation of the hydropower project.<br /><br />In an October 26th editorial appearing in the White Salmon Enterprise, Klickitat Public Utility District Board President Dan Gunkel stated that "a new energy policy law was enacted in 2005 that changed the rules for hydro relicensing. This new law may allow for more cost effective fish mitigation measures at Condit Dam."<br /><br />In considering this statement it is important to understand the background for the required mitigation measures if a utility such as Klickitat PUD were interested in purchasing and operating Condit Dam. In 1996 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission completed an analysis of new requirements for the Condit project that would be necessary to bring it up to modern safety and environmental standards. Any new owner would be required by law to meet these new mitigation requirements. Of particular importance, FERC and other federal agencies would require fish ladders and reduced diversion of flows for hydropower production. Together these measures render the Condit Project uneconomic. To place the Condit Project in perspective it produces less than 10 MW of power each year. This is comparable to a few wind turbines. The Stateline Wind Energy Project for example produces 300 MW and on the hydropower side Grand Coulee can produce up to 6480 MW. Utilities have found that small projects such as Condit, originally constructed to provide power for the Crown Willamette Paper Company in Camas, are not an efficient source of power when operating costs exceed revenue potential. Other small projects in the region scheduled for removal are located on the Elwha, Sandy, and Hood Rivers.<br /><br />Gunkel proposes to challenge the mitigation requirements that were originally analyzed in 1996 with the hope that cheaper options could be found. Specifically the Klikcitat PUD would like to replace the requirement for fish ladders with a trap-and-haul program where fish would be trucked around the dam. While it is questionable as to whether the project would be an economic source of power even with implementation of this alternative mitigation measure it is even more questionable as to whether any substitution for less protective measures would be successful.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/condit_dam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/condit_dam.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Condit Dam on the White Salmon River.</i></div><br /><br /><b>What the Law Says</b><br /><br />The law Gunkel is referring to that would allow this challenge is the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was signed into law on August 8th, 2005 and does include some new provisions for hydropower relicensing. What Gunkel fails to mention is that there are two parts to this law: first is the option to propose cheaper mitigation options which he does note but the law also states that these alternatives must be no less protective of the fishery resource.<br /><br />Specifically Section 241 of this law adds section 33 to the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. 797(e), 811, to provide that the license applicant or any other party to the license proceeding may propose an alternative condition or prescription to mandatory agency conditions (in this case the mandatory requirement for a fish ladder). The Secretary of the agency involved must accept the proposed alternative if the Secretary determines, based on substantial evidence provided by a party to the license proceeding or otherwise available to the Secretary: (a) that the alternative condition provides for the adequate protection and utilization of the reservation, or that the alternative prescription will be no less protective than the fishway initially proposed by the Secretary, and (b) that the alternative will either cost significantly less to implement or result in improved operation of the project works for electricity production. <br /><br />In practice this means that Klickitat PUD could, assuming they acquire the Condit project, propose an alternative to the fish ladder on Condit Dam. However they would need to demonstrate that their <i>alternative prescription will be no less protective than the fishway initially proposed</i>. This would be a difficult bar to reach at the Condit Project given the extensive record and science supporting the need for fish ladders to restore the long-term health of populations in decline. The law clearly states that alternatives such as trucking the fish around the dam would not be acceptable in cases such as Condit where they would be less protective of the resource. While trap and haul programs have been used at some projects this does not mean that such a program would work at Condit. Every project receives an independent evaluation by fishery scientists. One of the key issues at this particular project is not only adult passage upstream but juvenile passage downstream. Both of these issues would need to be addressed.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/narrows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/narrows.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Entrance to the Narrows of the White Salmon below Condit Dam.</i></div><br /><br /><b>What About Others Who Have Tried This Approach?</b><br /><br />As reported in September by AP writer Jeff Barnard in his story "PacifiCorp loses challenge of fish ladders over dams", dam owners have not had success in using the authority the Energy Policy Act provides to challenge requirements for fish ladders. The Klamath was the first case under the new provisions of the Energy Policy Act where a utility challenged mandates from federal fisheries agencies that it provide fish ladders, screen turbines, and devote a smaller proportion of the river to power production as mandatory conditions for a new license. Administrative Law Judge Parlen L. McKenna agreed with fishery scientists that alternatives to fish ladders did not provide the level of protection required (i.e. that the standard of "no less protective" could not be achieved by an alternative trap and haul program).<br /><br />Klickitat County has already spent over half a million dollars in legal fees on Condit Dam. Their legal counsel may have suggested that they could challenge the requirement for fish ladders, but one should consider where the advice is coming from: a law firm that would stand to make a healthy profit by extracting additional dollars from local taxpayers whether or not the challenge is successful.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/narrows_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/narrows_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Narrows of the White Salmon below Condit Dam.</i></div><br /><br /><b>What Would the Outcome Be?</b><br /><br />To implement the provisions of the Energy Policy Act and initiate a challenge Klickitat PUD would first need to acquire the Condit Project. Since PacifiCorp is not interested in selling, they have proposed to do so by a hostile condemnation proceeding. While it is unclear what the cost of this acquisition would be, what is clear is that Klickitat PUD would then be responsible for meeting necessary mitigation requirements or if they can't, removing the project. If Klickitat PUD acquired the project they could challenge the mandatory fish ladder requirements. The key here is they can challenge them before an Administrative Law Judge, but that does not mean they would be successful and the experience at Klamath would suggest that they would not be. At that point Klickitat PUD would be faced with the prospect of operating a project that costs significantly more to operate than alternative generation sources. In addition Klickitat PUD would be faced with the liability of owning an aging dam nearly a century old.<br /><br />PacifiCorp, a company with a long history of experience operating and licensing hydropower projects, made the decision to decommission the Condit Project because it is not an economic source of power. Klickitat PUD even hired CH2M Hill, one of the world's leading engineering firms, to conduct an independent review that reached the same conclusion. Klickitat PUD would be wise to not take on the liability this project represents.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-3831832230864550734?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173683.post-78700057905304285662006-11-01T05:35:00.000-08:002007-01-05T08:05:51.140-08:00Okinawa Rivers on IriomoteI just got back from Japan where I had an opportunity to explore some rivers in the southern islands of Okinawa. One of the Islands we went to is Iriomote which is part of a small group of islands to the east of Taiwan. These islands are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs featuring popular dive and sportfishing sites. Not one to be distracted the whole time by pretty colored fish I made a couple of reconnaisance trips to check out rivers on the island. <br /><br />Iriomote is really an incredible island. Unlike much of Japan it still retains much of its native habitat. Although small (about 20km across), it is one of the few islands that is largely wilderness with much of the interior protected within Iriomote National Park which is home to the endemic Iriomote Yamaneko (Wild Cat). A road runs around the east and north sides of the island with most of the population centered around Uehara on the northwest corner and Ohara on the southeast corner.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/Iriomote.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/Iriomote.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Map of Iriomote.</i></div><br /><br />I had planned a cross island packrafting adventure where I would hike in from the southeast to the headwaters of the Urauchigawa and then paddle the river out to the mouth. Unfortunately severe typhoons in September resulted in significant downfall on the trail I was going to use and officials had closed it while they continue to work on clearing it. I took the time to do some scouting for future trips.<br /><br /><b>Nakamagawa</b><br /><br />We spent our first night in Ohara at the Takemori Ryokan. This inn is the best option for exploration of the Nakamagawa (Nakama River) as it's about a 2 minute walk from the front door of the inn down to the main dock where boat tours launch. The inn is well known among adventure travelers as a popular end point for the cross island trail and although it's not budget lodging, the meals are great and the location can't be beat. One of the walls in the dining room has a large topographic map of the whole island pieced together from several sheets and the family that runs the inn always has the latest information on trail conditions.<br /><br />The Nakamagawa is well known for its impressive mangrove forests and I decided to take my packraft out for a trip up the river and back. I got up a little after 5 am to time my trip with the tides so I could paddle with the rising tide up the river and the falling tide back down. The primary launch point is on the north side of the river just upstream of the main bridge and a short distance from the harbor. The downside is I was floating along with debris and oil from the harbor the whole way up and for such a pristine jungle forest, the river was rather dirty. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/45_nakamagawa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/45_nakamagawa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Sunrise on the Nakamagawa</i></div><br /><br />The mangrove forests were indeed impressive and the symphony of insect sounds was amazing. The river started out in a wide bay that soon narrowed down to a meandering channel. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/51_nakamagawa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/51_nakamagawa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Mangroves on the Nakamagawa. There are a few different species.</i></div><br /><br />One of the highlights of a trip on the Nakamagawa is a chance to see Japan's largest mangrove. This tree is indeed impressive and quite beautiful. The species is Heritiera littoralis which is distributed between India and the South Pacific and tends to grow to the landward margin of mangrove forests. The buttresses at the base of the trunk result in beautiful ribbon type roots. It's easy to find this tree located on the south side of the river where a dock provides an convenient landing site and a boardwalk leads about 100 meters back into the forest where you can see the tree.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/48_tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/48_tree.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>This tree is a mangrove, Heritiera littoralis, and is known as one of the 100 Forest Giants of Japan.</i></div><br /><br />I continued up river to a point about 8km from the start that was still in the zone of tidal influence before I turned around to head back. I was at the inn shortly after 9 am. I will be back to explore areas further upstream on a future trip.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/46_nakamagawa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/46_nakamagawa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>On the Nakamagawa.</i></div><br /><br /><b>Urauchigawa</b><br /><br />The Urauchigawa (Urauchi River) is probably the most popular river trip on the island and there are several options for taking either a motorized tour boat or a guided kayak trip up the river to a trailhead that allows you to continue by hiking up the river. I had originally planned to descend the river from the headwaters by packraft but we instead decided to make it a family trip and took the motor boat ride up the river to the hiking trail. We stayed at the Akebono Minshuku which is in the Uehara area at the northwest corner of the island. The woman who runs the inn gave us a ride to the boat dock after breakfast but it would be easy to take the bus.<br /><br />It's about a 30 minute ride up the river with a couple of stops as the guide talks about the different trees and some of the natural history.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/56_urauchigawa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/56_urauchigawa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Urauchigawa near the mouth.</i></div><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/67_urachigawa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/67_urachigawa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>The Urauchigawa near the trailhead.</i></div><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/66_urauchigawa_boat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/66_urauchigawa_boat.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>The tour boat docked at the trailhead.</i></div><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/65_urauchigawa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/65_urauchigawa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Looking upstream on the Urauchigawa at the trailhead. The tour boats can not continue past this point where the channel is rocky and no longer tidally influenced.</i></div><br /><br />From the boat dock it's about a 50 minute walk up the river to the waterfalls. The trail is well maintained and offers one of the easiest ways to explore the jungle of the island's interior. We saw all sorts of different lizards, insects, birds, and a wide diversity of tree species. We were not able to see much of the river from the trail which is high on the hillside above the river until you get to the waterfalls. The first waterfall is Mariyudu Waterfalls which is a two-tiered falls over bedrock ledges. On our trip you could only view it from the overlook as the trail down to the waterfalls was officially closed due to "dangerous conditions". We saw a couple guys hop the rope but we continued on up to the second set of falls for our picnic lunch.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/60_urauchigawa_waterfall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/60_urauchigawa_waterfall.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>View of Mariyudu Waterfalls from the overlook.</i></div><br /><br />The trail passes right next to Kanbire Falls, the second set of waterfalls, which is a big bedrock slide. Most everyone stopped here to view the falls and enjoy a picnic lunch. While most day trips end here, the cross-island trail continues on up along the river.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/63_urauchigawa_waterfall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/63_urauchigawa_waterfall.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Kanbire Waterfalls.</i></div><br /><br />I hopped in the pool at the base of the falls and pretty soon Aki was looking for his bathing suit. We swam around and pretty soon several other guys had joined us in the water.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/1600/61_urauchigawa_swimming.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6835/1119/400/61_urauchigawa_swimming.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div align="center"><i>Aki and Tom swimming in the pool at the base of the Kanbire Waterfalls.</i></div><br /><br />After about an hour at the falls we hiked back for the boat ride back down the river. Having checked out the river I think it still holds promise for a future packrafting trip. The waterfalls would need to be portaged but that would be easy with big bedrock shelves along the sides. The gorge downstream of the falls was not visible from the trail. From what we could see from the boat launch it looked like you could get down although there was not much water in spots and you might need to portage. I will be back to check out the river.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9173683-7870005790530428566?l=riversandcreeks.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>okeefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602728680865236417noreply@blogger.com0