Date: Friday, July 3, 2005 through to
Sunday, July 5
River: Methow
Section: McFarland to Burma, Black Canyon
Flow: 978 down to 866 cfs over the 3 days
Group Size: 9
Participants: Dan & Marlene and Rick from BC plus Lance & Ingeborg from the Skagit and John, Pat, Karen & Daryl
Coordinators: Karen Hensley & Daryl Williams
Report by: Daryl Williams
After reading that so much fun was had on the Methow over Memorial Day weekend at a hefty 6700 cfs, we sought to round out the Methow season with a sub 1000 cfs trip.
The paddling group was smaller than usual for the 4th of July trip, but enthusiastic with Dan & Marlene and Rick from BC plus Lance & Ingeborg from the Skagit and John, Pat, Karen & Daryl.
Marlene, Rick & Pat paddled canoes while Dan, John & Karen paddled kayaks. The others may have used catarafts.
The group was pretty well matched, so we chose to do only 1 trip each day.
On Friday we did the McFarland to Burma section and on the 2 subsequent days we did the new shorter Black Canyon section. Next year we suggest to go on down to the old Pateros take out on at least one of the days to make the lower section longer.
The flows were 978 down to 866 cfs over the 3 days, which was plenty of flow although in a couple of rapids it was pretty tough to dodge the rocks.
Only Lance's big cataraft got grounded a few times. Surfing was great & very few waves were left untouched.
The water was low enough so that we scouted Black Canyon rapid by walking most of the way down on the left. Without Dave there to show us how easy it was, all the hardshells opted for a full or partial portage the first run, then Pat ran it as the last boat down on the second run. Pat finnesed it with a winding route along the far right of the main channel until past the ledge with the big hole. Staircase rapid was an extra fun weave between big pour-overs and bash through soft holes.
The locals were friendly and we saw Boo & party on the last day.
The weather was hot & sunny with a moderate breeze at the river and a pleasant high of 80 at Loup Loup.
Loup Loup campground was half empty, but the bakery was too busy to line up for coffee & a Cinimon Twisp.
We enjoyed evenings around the "hobo" fire, as campfires would not have been apreciated. The Dutch oven made its appearance with chocolate & cherries.
Lance amazed us with his "flying tent", apparently the offspring of a hammock & a flying saucer.
A fine weekend!