This run, coupled with the upper Slate, is considered by some boaters to be some of the U.P.'s
finest spring boating. It has excellent back-woods scenery, a real small creek feel, and a bunch
of great drops.
This section can be combined with the upper, but be advised that the stretch of river between the
take-out for upper reach and the gravel road (put-in for this reach) has no real rapids, and is
likely to contain many snags which may require limbos, log-boofs, and portages to get under,
over, or around. It's a tough call whether its more hassle to 'double-shuttle' or suffer the
flatwater and snags to combine the sections. It should be noted that the lower reach also
contains a significant flat stretch with an even worse problem of deadfall than the upper reach.
On some occasions, we've had to walk as much as a quarter-mile before finding the river passable
again. In spite of this, most who have boated the reach will put up with this,
for the incredible experience which this run has to offer for an experienced team of boaters.
This lower run is completely different in character, and a serious notch up in difficulty and
potential consequence, compared to the upper. The majority of the drops are ledges and slides.
Many verticals land in shallow pools, making a good 'boof' mandatory. Transverse splines of rock
often divert water (and boaters) diagonally across the river. The river twists and turns in an
ever deeper canyon, often making scouting or portaging difficult to impossible. In particular,
the walls around the final drop (Slate River Falls) are quite steep, and as water levels rise,
there will be precious few eddies before the falls.
It is strongly advised that all boaters
(before putting on the river) hike a trail up the river-right ridge (from the parking area at
Skanee Road) to have a look at Slate Falls and its approach to:
(a) make sure it is clear of logs and snags (logs which had crossed the whole face of the falls
for years 'disappeared' during 2003 -- how long it will remain clear is anyone's guess!),
(b) make a decision about if and how they plan on running it, and
(c) firmly implant an image in their brain of the approach to the falls, that they will recognize
it when they approach it on the river.
If you choose not to run the canyon section, the easiest option is to take out
(river right) directly after Smooth Creamy Thigh, a delightful 40' slide
dropping about 15' (See "slide" photo). As the river twists to the right, it drops
deeper and deeper into the canyon, and the walls get increasingly steep. The further
downriver (toward Slate Falls) you go, the higher and steeper your climb out will be if you are
not running the falls. There is a path around the entire canyon section, high on the top of the
ridge.
Driving Directions: From downtown L'Anse, MI, head northeast on Skanee Road 11
miles to Arvon Road. Turn right (south) and proceed 2 miles to a crossroad. Turn left (east), and
proceed to the river. (Note: when DeLorme's and other maps show this road going through the
river, take that quite literally. There is a 'ford' in the stream, which obviously will be
impassible in times of high water. Not a problem, since you are only going TO the river.)
* The reference gauge here is for the Silver, which may be used as the 'first indicator'. Watersheds are parallel and about 5 miles apart. Correlation should be good, but is not assured.
This watershed is about half the size of the listed gauge, so estimated flows might be reduced accordingly.
Second gauge is to measure down from lower edge of bevel on cement bridge deck on upstream center of the bridge on Skanee Road. Minimum is somewhere about 10'3" - 10'6" down. Remember, on a 'measure down' gauge, "less is more". That is, 10'1" (down to the water) is HIGHER than 10'6" (down to the water).
A final indicator is via inspection of river/rapids at put-in. If rapids look at least marginally boatable, then either reach (upper or lower) should be ok.
This lower reach is much more challenging and more sensitive to water level differences than the upper reach of this river. An inch or two of more water at the bridge could be the difference between 'reasonable' and an incredibly bad idea.
George Kaider I agree with Brock.......you better hit this one first because it could be gone the
next day. Overall, it is an experience that you won't forget. Deep canyon like feel that reminds me
of out West paddling in Montana. Better check for wood first at the base of Slate Falls. We did not
do so last year and only because most of our group pulled off the river, saw the log, and hike back
into the canyon to blow faint whistles at myself, Barry, and Mike did we NOT run the drop and
probably saved our lives or at least prevented major injury. We also had a swim that allowed time
to pass for the rest of our group to get back an warn us. It was like divine intervention that all
of the circumstances came together, which prevented us from running the falls. It was a huge pine
tree with massive spikes from broken branches everywhere - so it would have left a few
marks............................................... Edit
It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to scout Slate Falls before putting on this run. For years, huge trees
blocked any chance to run the falls. Those have cleared, but others could flush in at any time
(after high-water events). See George Kaider's comment for a 'near miss' in this regard.
It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to scout Slate Falls before putting on this run. For years, huge trees blocked any chance to run the falls. Those have cleared, but others could flush in at any time (after high-water events).
Running the wonderful sequence of ledge-drops leading into the falls takes you into a deep gorge. At low-to-moderate flows, it is possible to paddle nearly to the lip of the falls and beach a boat to scout and/or take photos/video of your group running the drop. At moderate-to-higher flows there may be few eddies, and (since the final approach to the falls has steep banks) getting out of the river will be difficult. Portage around the falls is difficult (ropes are recommended). Exit from this gorge is a strenuous climb up a high steep bank. Thus, if you are not interested (or able) to run the falls, it may be wiser to forego the entire sequence, getting out where the river takes a sharp right-hand bend and begins it's ledgey descent. A quite reasonable trail from there will take you to the top of the ridge for the hike out.
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User Comments
next day. Overall, it is an experience that you won't forget. Deep canyon like feel that reminds me
of out West paddling in Montana. Better check for wood first at the base of Slate Falls. We did not
do so last year and only because most of our group pulled off the river, saw the log, and hike back
into the canyon to blow faint whistles at myself, Barry, and Mike did we NOT run the drop and
probably saved our lives or at least prevented major injury. We also had a swim that allowed time
to pass for the rest of our group to get back an warn us. It was like divine intervention that all
of the circumstances came together, which prevented us from running the falls. It was a huge pine
tree with massive spikes from broken branches everywhere - so it would have left a few
marks............................................... Edit
blocked any chance to run the falls. Those have cleared, but others could flush in at any time
(after high-water events). See George Kaider's comment for a 'near miss' in this regard.
hit it first if it is on your list!