Ice Damage on Beech Cr.? (and other Newton Co creeks)

[Fish]

So, the Hailstone put-in at about 1640 ft elev. was clear of ice damage from the big storm. Beech Cr. put in on Edgemon Cr. is something like 1720 ft elev. And we hiked in to elevation 1800 on Adkins Cr. and there was considerable ice damage at that elevation. Another data point is Osage Cr. at the Mushroom at about 1790 ft. which has ice damage. It appears that somewhere between 1650 and 1800 is the magic elevation in the upper Buffalo watershed below which trees were not knocked down by ice.

So the big question is, is there ice damage on Beech Cr.? Any opinions? Any first hand reports?

Also, EFLB drainage put-ins are mostly below 1800 feet. Does anyone have info on how EFLB looks at the regular put-in (near Barberry Cr. confluence)?

What other big steepies in Newton Co. are not ice damaged? Guesses and observations?

- Fish

[David Mac]

Don't know much about the drainage or the creeks, but the hike down to Twin Falls via Hill Cemetary is pretty much impassable.

We tried to go down there over the weekend and it took over an hour to get to the cemetary and then once there could barely identify, much less follow the old logging road that is supposed to bring you out between the falls. We ended up turning back rather than try to guess our way down the ravine.

Sadly, a lot of that wood will eventually end up in Richland even though the creek was mostly clear the week after the storm.

David

[RandyJ]

Hiked in and out of Center Point trail over the weekend, and now looking at topo map, agree that the lower "ice line" elevation is somewhere around 1650' to 1700'. Hard to believe how much wood is down until you see it for yourself. Thanks to the Park Service, volunteers, and/or whomever for clearing the trail, which otherwise would have been pretty much impassable. We watched light rain most of Saturday, high and dry under Jim Bluff. And watched the river rise about a foot and a half, which is tough to watch when you don't have a boat with you. Sunday turned off beautiful. 13" air space at Ponca - perfect for a relaxing, casual float. Sounds like a few of you took advantage.

But back to Beech Creek. We're probably in for really some "rough sledding" to get down to the put-in and navigate the first mile or so. What's the landowner situation and ability to clear wood down in there?