west fork of white

[gfitzge7]

how long does it take say from the reststop to west fork. Might hit it up this afternoon if it does not get to high. I get off at 330 and live in Fay. So hopefully that is enough.

[mel z]

the way it's running right now (way over the dam at west fork park at 8:30 this morning but not up to the benches at the part-may be now, though) it would only take you about 30-45 minutes probably. be very careful of strainers as there are at least two serious ones (entire downed trees spanning most of the river) between the rest stop and the flipped over bridge. don't know how you'll get past that bridge. good luck, paddle safe, and post a report!

[gfitzge7]

Flipped bridge! Please tell me there is a way to stop and walk the boats around it. If not we may hit something else. Hope this rain jumps up the mulberry to say 4.5. I would be soo happy. Boxley looks like it may be a go to. Just need more of a day than what I got today.

O and I have a gray rock canoe, no flotation, it gonna make the white, it made it on lee with me one time. Just lots of water at one spot.

[mel z]

Hmm, I'm probably not the best person to be giving advice as I'm still only a beginner, but here's my 2cents anyway, I wouldn't bring an open boat with no flotation on the west fork of the white (actually, i did that once years ago and boy oh boy what a day -eh jermdog??). it can get narrow in places and that bridge is really a serious hazard. i haven't seen the bridge in big water and have not crossed it in low water (pulled out just before for lack of water on the low water day), but it seems like it would be a big problem - the banks are steep in that area and you'd have to pull out at the place the bridge used to be and try to hike around it (private property) and put back in. there was a bank at low water but i bet it's pretty full at this high water. if you're really desperate to check that river out, i would say your safest bet is to put in at woolsey bridge (about halfway between the rest stop and the park near woolsey cemetery), ferry upstream to play on the ledge above the bridge, and then float down to the park-that section of the river is wider and cleaner. it would make the run 3 or so miles instead of 6 or so. again, this is only my opinion and i don't have the years of paddling under my spray skirt that many people on this board have.

be safe.