fall cr locust cr

[frontloader07]

i ran fall cr after the big rain. it was fun but lots of trees in the creek.it was about 1ft or mabey 2ft over the low water bridge when we put on. but i just wanted to know if anyone has ever ran locust cr that runs into fall cr and what it was like if anyone has i plan on walking it some time soon to see what it is like thanks

[Fish]

We ran Locust once at real low water years ago. I explored it back in 1996 originally, and back then there was better access, but today, there are no friendly landowners I know of around the creek. In fact, the guy that owns the only road that goes in to the top of the creek told me in person that boaters were not welcome. A couple of barbed wire fences and signs are up now to drive home that point. As a result, I can't really recommend a run of Locust at this time. If for some reason you feel you must, I wouldn't leave a vehicle anywhere near where you carry in... and you don't know me.

As far as the creek itself goes, from the uppermost possible put-in, it's steep and sliding stuff with mostly small rocks, many trees, and a couple of fences. Then you have to know exactly where to get out and portage the 15 foot waterfall - a real beauty that unfortunately lands in only inches of water. If you can somehow get to the point below that fall without trespassing (you'd have to talk to several landowners to do it), the next mile of creek is good class 3 to 4+, with a nice ledge/slide/funnel drop near the end. And probably lots of trees. And maybe more fences since there's been more development there in the past 10 years. Basically, Locust would be a great run if it had any reasonable access, fewer trees, and/or if the 15 footer was runnable at all.

Seriously, if you go in there, you better get to know the folks whose land you cross. I tried both sides of the creek and they were clear they'd consider me a trespasser and call the sheriff if needed. We took a pretty dumb risk to explore it once at low water - one I would not take again.

By the way, all of the above and more applies for Ben Doodle Cr. In the years since we ran it last, the land at the put in is all heavily posted, fenced, and gated with plenty of signs of activity. Plus the creek is absolutely full of trees. Plus the da*n 15 footer there isn't runnable either.

I have no idea what Hart Cr. looks like these days, but I'd bet it's in better shape. Access there is on public land (if you stay in the old clearcut boundary) and the creek is/was very isolated from road access with only one fence as a sign of landowner activity. Since Whistlepost Cr. had more landowner access issues and even intentionally felled trees in it the last time I hiked it, Hart may be the only Crawford Co run that remains feasible at all from the golden age of steep creek exploration in the 90's. All those creeks are mostly on private land, so it's really no surprise.

At least Fern is all public - and it's the best of the bunch (or worst if you're in over your head). And there is another one or two out there... I've heard recently of plans to nab a run on one I looked at 12 years ago and passed up due to wood and borderline-insane looking gradient. Maybe that area will produce some good stuff again...

Reporting from the Whitewater Center of North America (geographically speaking),
Fish

[Half Ton]

Thanks for the update on the trees. How many portages ? How many Limbos ?

Less than or more than 10 ? Any in especially bad spots ?

Thanks for posting the report.