BETA
Stream: A fantastic intermediate trip in the mid-Willamette Valley that is only accessible during hunting season unless you are navigationally savvy and willing to put in a long day. Keep an eye out for wood the whole day, but in Fall 2016 there were no portages.
There is some easy floating through boulder bars to warm up in before the Runaway, the first rapid. In Runaway the current is forced against the right wall creating a rapid that ends in a short plunge into a powerful hydraulic. Run this final plunge on the left side of the right channel with a strong right stroke, staying away from the right wall. You can scout/portage this rapid on the left, but it's also easy to find yourself past the eddies before you realize you are in the rapid.
Runaway
More easy floating is below here before this section of Thomas really reaches its prime as bedrock begins to line the stream and the green walls are in stark contrast to what is turbid water if the flows are not low.
Sustained and enjoyable pool and drop class III begins to become the norm.
As flows rise past 1,000 cfs the difficulty creeps up, never reaching class V (even at 8,300 cfs) but as flows approach 2,000 cfs the eddy situation gets loose and people have reported floating downstream alongside flotsam in a class IV environment.
The last three rapids are the most exciting, and come in quick succession. The first (Firebox) comes after a right hand turn, and is rowdy at flows upwards of 1,000 cfs. I like to start right, working back to center and hold steady through a violent but forgiving bottom hydraulic that empties into a large pool. At some flows you can sneak more center/left, and scouting is always possible from either side.
Shoo Fly is next and pushes into the left wall if you run left, but has a line to the right of a folding hydraulic that allows for easy passage. It can be scouted from an island just upstream of the rapid.
Photo: Lucas Rietmann
The last three rapids are the most exciting, and come in quick succession. The first (Firebox) comes after a right hand turn, and is rowdy at flows upwards of 1,000 cfs. I like to start right, working back to center and hold steady through a violent but forgiving bottom hydraulic that empties into a large pool. At some flows you can sneak more center/left, and scouting is always possible from either side.
Firebox
Shoo Fly is next and pushes into the left wall if you run left, but has a line to the right of a folding hydraulic that allows for easy passage. It can be scouted from an island just upstream of the rapid.
Shoo Fly
After another pool the creek enters the final set of ledges at Caboose Juice which make for a terrific finale and can be run right down the tongue, just keep that nose up.
Caboose Juice
If you are looking for more action, put in a little higher to tack on the Pumkpin Patch, which has some IV (V) and a beautiful 30-40' runnable waterfall.
Flows: This stretch can be run as low as 400 cfs, but ideally look for 800-1,500 cfs for a class III-IV trip. USGS Gauge Thomas Creek @ Scio.
Access: Directions from Anthony Boesen.
If it is Cascade Deer or Elk hunting season, the gate has historically been open (call this number to be sure 888-741-5403). If not, it will be closed and your only option is to find access through the Santiam State Forest via the Rock Creek drainage out of Mill City or hike a long way.
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