Shade

2006

Upper & Middle Sections
Confluence of Clear & Dark Shade to Camp Drive Bridge

Upper Section - Approx. 3 Miles - Seemed Longer
Middle Section - Approx. 2 Miles

Class III-IV

Avg Gradient: 56 fpm
Max Gradient: 75 fpm
(Values for entire creek)

Gauge: Stoneycreek River Ferndale - 1:45 PM

4/23/06

Level: 4.97 ft, 1930 cfs
Stoneycreek Foustwell Bridge - 1:00 PM - 3.90 ft
Camp Drive Bridge - 1:30 PM - 1.50 ft

Craft: OC-1

*Pictures compliments of Patty Hachick

From Foustwell to the takeout of Middle Shade take 403 N to Hollsople then proceed to 601 N. Follow 601 North to Camp Drive. From here to the put-in take Camp Drive to 160 S. Here there was roadside parking on the right just before the mouth of Clear Shade. Walk down the hill to get to right side of Shade. Level was minimal. Better levels would be: 5.5 at Ferndale, 4.5 at Foustwell Bridge & 2-2.5 at Camp Drive Bridge.

If you cross Rt. 160 at the put-in and walk down the hill you can find the last drop on Clear Shade.

Put-in below the confluence of Clear & Dark Shade.


Confluence of Clear & Dark Shade	Bruce in the 1st rapid

Kevin in the 1st rapid	Dan surfing the 1st rapid

The upper section was quite small and continuous. There were blind and steep rapids around most bends. Some were tight, technical channels with good drops. Others were tilted rock gardens. Strainers were encountered. Only one blocked the best path of a rapid. This was near the beginning of the run. To recall a few of the best rapids in the top section, the first was a steep drop along the left bank that required a quick move to the right to avoid a car size boulder. Immediately below was another drop. The second was along the right bank. It appeared to be a straight-shot wavetrain. However; there was a curler at the top. This was probably the most powerful spot on the river. More challenges followed. There was one down river left that required paddlers to hug the bank. Some ducked to avoid a tree growing on the edge of the stream bed. Another, also down river left, had a horizon line near the bottom. Around the last mile of this section, the average width increased and things got flatter. The gradient increased again but not as much as the beginning of the run. Just before the Hillsboro Bridge, Roaring Fork was seen on the right. This bridge was the start of the middle section


Confluence of Roaring Fork	Roaring Fork


Rapid at the Hillsboro Bridge	Above the Hillsboro Bridge

The middle section was wider than the upper but still offered good rapids. Not as difficult as the upper. The takeout was below the Camp Drive Bridge on river right. Epic OC run would be perfect with another 1/2 foot water.

Rapids above the Camp Drive Bridge


Bruce above Camp Drive Bridge	Christian surfing above Camp Drive Bridge

Chuck above Camp Drive Bridge