This is a premier Columbia-area run, if you can catch it! It must be paddled within hours of the rainfall. The river features on this one are all natural! No pipelines here! However, it is extremely tight, with the possibility of new strainers after each rainfall! The upper section bisects private property, so stay off the shore. Be careful as you pass under the bridge and pass through a pasture. . .there is a wire about head level that divides the farmers land from Gans Creek Wild Area that is difficult to see until you are on top of it. BE CAREFUL!!!
This is a premier Columbia-area run, if you can catch it! It must be paddled within hours of the rainfall. The river features on this one are all natural! No pipelines here! However, it is extremely tight, with the possibility of new strainers after each rainfall! The upper section bisects private property, so stay off the shore. Be careful as you pass under the bridge and pass through a pasture. . .there is a wire about head level that divides the farmers land from Gans Creek Wild Area that is difficult to see until you are on top of it. BE CAREFUL!!!
Difficulty
Class I-II
Put-in/Take-out
0 = Ponderosa Street
2.75 = Shooting Star Bluff/Trailhead
5.5 = Gans Creek Trailhead/Rock Quarry Rd
Gauge
There is a low water line (zero) painted on the foot bridge at the Gans Creek trailhead. If you can’t see the line and if it’s out of its banks, it’s run-able.
Although the access point at Ponderosa St. is between two bridges and is an easement, downstream the creek bisects a farm whose landowner has been known to meet you wielding guns and calling the police. DO NOT SET FOOT ON SHORE ONCE YOU’RE ON THE CREEK! Also, there is no parking at the put-in, so you need to park at the take-out and have a non-boater run a ‘stealth’ Shuttle for you. Parking at the put-in will get you ticketed and probably towed. ALSO NOTE: DO NOT DRIVE DOWN GANS ROAD WITH BOATS ON YOUR CAR. . . IT WILL ONLY ALERT LANDOWNERS TO YOUR PRESENCE!
Shooting Star Trailhead is located on the NW corner of Gans Creek Wild-Area. This is public access to Gans Creek, but it is a LONG carry on the trail down to the creek, and a lot of fun stuff upstream is missed.
This information was provided by Steve Witzig.