Blue River, Oregon
Location - Ten miles northeast of the town
of Blue River, OR
Difficulty - Class III - IV Length - 4 miles
Level - 900cfs Date - February, 2007
of Blue River, OR
Difficulty - Class III - IV Length - 4 miles
Level - 900cfs Date - February, 2007
The Blue River is a short creek like run less than an hour from Eugene. The
blue / green waters of this class III / IV creek flow from the high Cascade
foothills and the fairly large watershed here means that the Blue often has
enough water to run. The lowest I have done this stretch of river is at 500 cfs
and the highest was at roughly 1,000 cfs. I think the Blue would go pretty high
and still be a blast.
The action is fairly continuous fun class III+, always busy, but never intimidating.
Wood could be an issue in this narrow and fast stream, but eddies are
numerous and the whole run can be seen from the road. The simple shuttle
makes doing laps easy and all in all running the Blue makes for a great short
day.
The first rapid on the run that really gets your attention and deserves a scout
while driving up is called Pincushin or S Turn. The river sweeps left and pours
over and around a boulder that would provide a great boof were it not backed
up by another rock. Below this the river pinches as it rounds a sharp right turn
in the ledge and most of the current slams into a pin rock. At low flows boofing
right at the top and staying right works well. The same line goes at higher
water but it is more hectic although a far right sneak opens up as well. This is
the run's class IV rapid at normal levels with the rest being class III or III+ with a
few trickier spots thrown in for good measure.
blue / green waters of this class III / IV creek flow from the high Cascade
foothills and the fairly large watershed here means that the Blue often has
enough water to run. The lowest I have done this stretch of river is at 500 cfs
and the highest was at roughly 1,000 cfs. I think the Blue would go pretty high
and still be a blast.
The action is fairly continuous fun class III+, always busy, but never intimidating.
Wood could be an issue in this narrow and fast stream, but eddies are
numerous and the whole run can be seen from the road. The simple shuttle
makes doing laps easy and all in all running the Blue makes for a great short
day.
The first rapid on the run that really gets your attention and deserves a scout
while driving up is called Pincushin or S Turn. The river sweeps left and pours
over and around a boulder that would provide a great boof were it not backed
up by another rock. Below this the river pinches as it rounds a sharp right turn
in the ledge and most of the current slams into a pin rock. At low flows boofing
right at the top and staying right works well. The same line goes at higher
water but it is more hectic although a far right sneak opens up as well. This is
the run's class IV rapid at normal levels with the rest being class III or III+ with a
few trickier spots thrown in for good measure.
After a few miles of fun water the Blue goes under
a bridge and Tidbits Creek enters from the right.
The next rapid features a pretty big hole in the
middle, but it can be missed on river right.
Things mellow below here before the river drops
through a boulder garden at the end that is a fun
eddy hop at lower flows. The banks of the
reservoir are unsightly for the last quarter mile and
require you to walk up through some muddy
ground to the boat ramp at the take out.
The Blue is a great river that I have enjoyed on
each run. It is great for laps, gives a good workout,
is fun but not scary, and close to town.
a bridge and Tidbits Creek enters from the right.
The next rapid features a pretty big hole in the
middle, but it can be missed on river right.
Things mellow below here before the river drops
through a boulder garden at the end that is a fun
eddy hop at lower flows. The banks of the
reservoir are unsightly for the last quarter mile and
require you to walk up through some muddy
ground to the boat ramp at the take out.
The Blue is a great river that I have enjoyed on
each run. It is great for laps, gives a good workout,
is fun but not scary, and close to town.
| A boater in the middle of Pincushin rapid on the Blue River. Flow = 900 cfs |
Pete running the preferred river right line at Pincushin.
The flat mellow part of the Blue River above Tidbits Creek
bridge.
bridge.
Gabe entering PIncushin on river right.