Rhymers To Bay Creek: Is It Too Low?

[Mark]

Mountain view gauge is at 37 cfs and Alley Springs is at 98 cfs.

Thanks to everyone on giving detailed info on upper JF on my previous posts. Given the dreadful low water conditions right now, I am afraid we may have to cancel our trip June 4-8. Originally we wanted to do the upper section, and from everyone's advice, that is not doable under present water levels. We really had our hearts set on the Jack's Fork for that week. With loaded canoe, would Rhymers to Bay Creek just be too much work right now?

Granted Rhymers to Bay Creek is only 10 miles and we will have Monday afternoon- Friday morning to do it, so we're only talking about going short distances and a couple hours of work each day won't kill us. I know we would be getting out and pulling the canoe along in lots of places from everyone's descriptions on low water levels.

Unless conditions change (and 10 day forecast looks like more of the same clear sunny weather),

is Rhymer's to Bay Creek doable or would it totally suck!! I'm afraid I already know the answer and we should look elsewhere. We would really love to see some of the canyon section.

Sorry for repetitive posts, guess I am just looking for confirmation to DON"T DO IT!

[Gavin]

The creek flattens out alot below Rhymers...I'd probably do Blue Spring down to Rhymers as oppossed to Rhymers to Bay or Alley..pack light!

[Mark]

So that would be doable at this water level?? That would be better because we could see Jam Up Cave. It looks like Blue Springs to Rhymers would only be about 6.5 miles, but mileage doesn't matter to us as long as there is great scenery and some fishable water. I guess what would concern me with that trip is leaving the vehicles at Rhymers for several days. I have never had any trouble with thieves breaking into vehicles or such, but there is plenty of warnings on here about that area. We could take 2 vehicles and shuttle ourselves. OR would the businesses in Eminence shuttle us up and pick us up on Friday and take us back to our vehicles if we left them in Eminence.

[eric1978]

I agree, do BS to Rhymers. You'll still probably do 2/3 floating, 1/3 dragging, but on the bright side, there's a good chance you'll be alone. Don't go unless you're ready to work.

[Gavin]

Dunno if you can get a shuttle or not..Dont leave anything in your vehicle and make sure you have a locking gas cap.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I wouldn't cancel this early. See what happens with rain down there in the next couple weeks, heck June 4-8 is over 2.5 weeks away. All's it would take to make any of it floatable is an inch or two of rain the day before.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I'm convinced that weathermen can't predict squat beyond 3 to 4 days out, so to answer your question, yes I would have a back-up plan, but I wouldn't cancel on going to the JF until maybe 2-3 days ahead of time, especially if you have your heart set on it. It could end up being perfect.

[Al Agnew]

Mark, 37 cfs is very low. There is also very little difference in volume between the Blue Springs to Rhymers stretch and the Rhymers to Bay Creek stretch, but there are more wide, shallow, gravelly riffles below Rhymers, more narrow, rock garden runs above Rhymers. Which means more wading and dragging below Rhymers, shorter but trickier to wade and drag stretches above. Either way, with a loaded canoe you will "float" very few riffles at 37 cfs or less...will scrape in about every riffle and have to get out and walk a high percentage of them.

Another slight problem with the Rhymers to Bay Creek stretch is that the shuttle is VERY long!

[KCRIVERRAT]

Beings you're floating during the week, why not consider Eminence to Two Rivers? Sure, the scenery's not on par with the upper river, but it's still nice. And the fishing is usually great also. There's some nice smallmouth to be caught, especially from Shawnee Creek to the Current. Plenty of goggleye too... and plenty of water to float.

[Mark]

We'll consider all - thanks - the primary reason of the trip is to see the scenery of the canyon section. We'll wait until the last minute to make a decision. The idea of a lot of work doesn't sound appealing.