Beaver, E.Br., Minnesota, US

CR5 to CR4 (2.2 miles)

River Description

A stretch of flatwater paddling starts this run. The first drop starts with a steepening technical drop, leading to a short ledge which has a sticky center hole. Run either far left (with agression), or far right, over a stepped ledge where you can choose from a couple of exit routes. Just below, most of the river is a jumble of broken rock, with the deepest channel being far right alongside a high wall of rock.

A brief paddle leads a horizon line. Take out (river right) to scout a triple of large falls, the undeniable highlight of the run. The first is a jumbled irregular steep-sliding falls into a large hanging pool. Out of this pool, the river is funnelled to the right to pour out a narrower spout into another larger pool. The river turns back to the left and, shortly downstream, drops over a wide, sheer-vertical falls. (Generally this is run about 1/3 from the right, though other routes should be possible.) All three of these have been run, the first two generally at minimal levels, and the third at virtually any (river runnable) level.

Downstream, numerous smaller (all boat scoutable, but fun) rapids ensue.

Take-out is via a short paddle up the West Branch (reached just downstream of a railroad crossing high overhead.)