Hi, I ran lower North Willow Creek into Bass Lake this last weekend and I have to comment on what a classic run this is. I normally just curse and bitch all the time, but I had so much fun on this run I was all warm and fuzzy by the time I reached the takeout. I even commented to my group how I can't wait to go back up in er' to get some more of the smooth granite bedrock drops. Just wanted to let everyone know that there's a run just like South Silver in the hills above Fresno. It may be even better when you consider all the bikini-clad high school girls running around the lake. I'm going back the next chance I get!

ZMCG

BTW-I would also like to add that the South Fork Middle Tule is another classic run I did this spring.

take any photos?

Actually, I did. but then her mom came over and knocked me around till I gave her the film. don't mess with a fresno mom.

ive been very curious about this run, any more info would be greatly appreciated? will the flow be enough for this coming weekend ?
any sections/rapids to note, etc.?
thanks, jas

caliproduct has some video of Willow creek on there news page on the website

run is crap, don't go - South Silver following the next ice age

Yonder--consider the sarcasm in Govt Mule's post before you go make plans to spend a weekend or something on N. Willow. I wouldn't trust anyone who works for the govt.

a group of us ran N willow 2weeks ago. yes, it is an awesome adventure but the kayaker who posted this topic failed to tell you that there are alot of hidden dangers on this run.logs,sievs,remote wilderness all of these add up. this run is not a classic but it is cool to do once. it can be alot of work especialy if you do the upper and lower. be careful what you post just because you had a great day and everything went right dosen't mean you can do it again with the same luck. if you plan todo only the upper scout your takeout well. killcoot cr. comes in after the walled in 15fter. you hike back up that cr. to the takeout. if you miss it your in for along day/night classV+ night boating not as fun as day boating.

a group of us ran N willow 2weeks ago. yes, it is an awesome adventure but the kayaker who posted this topic failed to tell you that there are alot of hidden dangers on this run.logs,sievs,remote wilderness all of these add up. this run is not a classic but it is cool to do once. it can be alot of work especialy if you do the upper and lower. be careful what you post just because you had a great day and everything went right dosen't mean you can do it again with the same luck. if you plan todo only the upper scout your takeout well. killcoot cr. comes in after the walled in 15fter. you hike back up that cr. to the takeout. if you miss it your in for along day/night classV+ night boating not as fun as day boating.

There are lots of logs and sieves for sure, but I don't think it qualifies as "remote wilderness". There are quite a few escape options at different points along the creek. The road is reasonably close (15 to 30 minute steep hike) on river left for much of the distance. A 4x4 road crosses the lower section and a fairly decent trail also follows much of the lower section.

Paul

After any serious injury or onset of medical emergency there is an intial hour where if advanced medical treatment is administered the patients chances of survival greatly increase. Shock is a major medical emergency if you are more than an hour from advanced medical treatment. Hope for the best, plan for the worsted.

I'm starting to get the impression alot of us don't think much about this anymore.

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"That looks like a nasty break, would you like some glucose."

paul get down off the big hourse you don't know how to ride him

SandM makes a very interesting point that anything over an hour away from advanced medical care should be considered remote. You say that we don't think about it anymore, but I don't think about it at all mostly. Allmost all river trips would qualify as remote. How often does it take less than half a day to get somebody to a hospital after an accident on a river? How long would it take to get somebody to advanced medical care from: South Silver, Cherry Creek, Main Tuolumne, Giant Gap, SF American, etc. It takes forever, doesn't it?

Relating to NF Willow, sure, if you get hurt in there, your screwed, but as far as hiking out or getting hauled out, you might be less screwed than on lots of other runs. Well,,,, probably too many trees to get a helicopter in there, unlike many other runs. That reduces your options. You would probably have to haul somebody out with manpower if they were incapacitated.

As for whether the run is a "classic", it is interesting that some to many people seem to think it is not worth doing because of the junk to good stuff ratio. Then there are a few people who seem to not mind the junk so much and think it is worth the cool drops that are in there.


For those who have done the run and have opinions, please post some helpful comments and pictures to the AW river pages for this creek.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/4032/
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/4033/

Paul