We decided to run the Cooper again on Sunday. The China Gorge section of the Cle Elum was too bony and the Class I and II in the area didn't interest us. We only had one vehicle so I thought of a clever way to avoid the shuttle altogether. There is a trail on the north side of the river that we decided to walk. I convinced the Hummels that carrying our boats up 2 miles of trail would be easier than loading them in their car and walking/hitchhiking 3 miles of road.
Our camp was on the south side of the river so we had to cross the log that we rolled under. This wasn't a problem and we were on the trail in no time. No time turned to lots of time as we made our way up the steep and dusty trail. It climbed way above the river and it wasn't until we passed the put in that it dropped back down. We ended up putting in nearly a mile above the 50ft falls. We found some fun Class II and III that was well worth the sweaty hike and sore shoulders.
We were a little concerned about missing the take out above the 50ft falls but it was easy to recognize from above. The horizon suddenly dropped so we caught an eddy and carried our boats to the standard put in.
The sky was clear and the water was warm so we practiced a few rolls in the pool below the falls.
Jason and Josh at the standard put in. Day two.
We anxiously ran the first few drops without scouting. There were some logs below Norm's Resort that required us to get out of our boats. This was the only mandatory portage.
We ended up running the rocky ledge that we seal launched the day before. It wasn't a problem as long as you had enough speed to bank of the right side.
The primary reason for scouting was to take photos of the drops that we missed the day before. We recognized most of them so we knew where to go. Still, Jason got worked on at least one. We all rolled a few times.
Josh getting buried.
The rocky ledge. Most of the water crashes into rocks near the center. We ran it river right. There should be a boater somewhere in the darkness.
Jason getting buried.
We found a cool playspot above the boulder garden. The Hummels tried a few enders but they didn't amount to much at these flows. They got tangled up at one point and both ended up pulling. I stood by on the shore laughing.
Josh at the beginning of a large slide.
Josh in a fun chute above the playspot.
Josh in the playspot.
The boulder garden was probably the most challenging part of the river. A screw up here would cause the most pain. Jason and I made it through ok but Josh rolled above the last drop. He went over upside down and got caught in the reversal. He pulled after a few attempted rolls.
Josh going down in the boulder garden above the last drop.
The end came all too soon. We rolled under the log with less difficulty. A short scrape led us back to camp.
The Hummels squeezed their boats inside their Explorer and I tied mine on the roof. The day was far from over but we had a long drive back home.
We hoped that the summer flows would continue. If not, we'd be back again next year to try the higher spring.
Note:
The photos are dark because the film I used was too slow (ISO 50).