Shop Creek Officially CLOSED!

[shelbyjohnson]

Nutty day on Shop Creek. Mother Nature has officially closed the creek. The EF1 tornado went down the creek for the first mille after the putin the Beech trees are scattered like match sticks down in the creek.

The old trail that goes to the putin is almost lost as well due to ice storm damage.

It will take a MAJOR work effort to reopen the creek.

Hypermart and the first 3 or 4 rapids above it are jammed full of trees.

Below Blue Light Special the creek was clear.

[FarPastGone]

Glad no one with 3-4 skills took that dude's advice last week and put on it. But seriously this is a bummer because I have wanted to run this creek for a while.

I also want to repost that it appears there was wind damage in the Stepp Creek drainage as well. There are 3-4 portages/sketchy moves in the first 1/4-1/2 mile that were not required last time we got down in there (last spring?). All trees downed appeared to be recent.

- Matt

[ARzach]

It will take a MAJOR work effort to reopen the creek.

Major as in 20 folks for a couple of days? Or maybe 10 or so with multiple saws?

Shop has been on my to-do list for a looong time

[fallingwater]

For the putin two saws and two other ppl throwing branches in the woods would prolly take half a day......the first mile of the creek will be interesting to clean up.....I think we only walked four or five drops though
Joe

[shelbyjohnson]

Major as in 20 folks for a couple of days? Or maybe 10 or so with multiple saws?

Shop has been on my to-do list for a looong time

I think 3 or 4 saws and a at least one big saw with a 24 inch bar. The wood from the tornado got pushed downstream of the actual tornado path. It was pretty interesting. Would require sawing out wood all the way to Hypermart. We walked the good drop above Hypermart and Hypermart too. Check out line had wood in the entry of it. There were 3 or 4 unnamed drops with creekwide wood blocking any safe route.

In addition to saw operators I would think 3 more to push, pull and remove the bigger stuff.

So 10 or so with multiple saws sounds about right to me.

Also I note that I forgot to mention earlier. The US Natl Forest Service has substatially improved the road with gravel and very nice road bed in to what Joe & Noel described as a shooting range that is being built. Presently the road is gated. I am assuming due to construction. Once that is completed I would hope the gate remains open. Nonetheless the road to the walk down / drag in spot is very nice. The drag down / walkin trail is severely impaired due to ice storm tree fall.

Final note before I sign off... As a community we should really look to do this run more often. It is a magical creek and has everything to offer. Extremely remote, steep, scenic, etc., etc., etc.

[shelbyjohnson]

Photo or two from yesterday showing some of the wood. These were taken at Hypermart which is the vicinity of the worst tornado damage.

Looking upstream from Hypermart.



This is looking into the undercut at Hypermart. Nasty!



Obligatory boof shot of Ben Maguire running No Refund.

[Tmuse]

Nice boof! And some nice photos minus the trees, we got to get those trees out! Let me know when and I will help out! Need that creek open for biz!

[cpresoz]

I doubt I could ever float that beauty, but count on me to help. I'll bring my chainsaw. Just let me know when and I'll be there!

[RandyJ]

As a community we should really look to do this run more often. It is a magical creek and has everything to offer. Extremely remote, steep, scenic, etc., etc., etc.

I'll echo Shelby's comments...I've been in there a couple of times and way overdue to get back to it.

Sample photo from 2nd D in '95...link to more pix below.



https://picasaweb.google.com/jacksonr66/ShopCreek1995#

[wiredforsound]

I'll echo Shelby's comments...I've been in there a couple of times and way overdue to get back to it.

Sample photo from 2nd D in '95...link to more pix below.



https://picasaweb.google.com/jacksonr66/ShopCreek1995#[/quote]

Randy

Some great shots! Thanks for sharing.