Bear Creek 4-30-07

The lower elevations in the front range are going off. Bear Creek has been rising fast over the past few days and it has been getting run alot. This fast influx of flows so early in the season has resulted in numerous beatdowns and broken boats. With this in mind, I headed off to Bear Creek Monday as it peaked at 380 cfs unsure whether to be excited or scared (I am using the DWR gauge at Morrison because there is a diversion in town which I think accounts for the lower flow at the lower gauge).

Overall, the run at this level is sweet. The rapids are quicker and there are a few holes, but nothing you cannot line up on and punch. Scouting No Fun Falls is definitely a good idea. If you don't get left going around the turn, things are going to get interesting.

No fun falls from below with Alex in the foreground:



The dam is probably the worst looking drop on the run, but it goes smoothly more often than not. The landing is about a foot deep and there is a bit of a strange hydraulic at higher flows...but it goes and it is pretty fun.

Dam drop from above:



Cameron running the dam on an earlier low water run:



I think the creek peaked today but I could be wrong. Hopefully it will run at a decent level for a while. Get it while you can!