Big Butte Creek, Oregon, US

Butte Falls to Netherlands Rd

Usual Difficulty	III-IV (for normal flows)
Length	9.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient	65 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
BIG BUTTE CREEK NEAR MCLEOD, OR
usgs-14337500	500 - 800 cfs	III-IV	01h15m	129 cfs (rc= -1.2 )

River Description

This run is fast, narrow, and shallow. It features a 15 ft. runnable waterfall, a few nice boulder gardens, many logs to go under and over, and a chance to slither between cabbage size boulders until you think your paddle and boat won't take any more. Most of the run is class II-III, but the last rapid is a full class IV which cannot be portaged and is difficult to boat scout. Cobleigh bridge provides access three miles into the run.

Description:

This run starts with a bang; The 15 ft. waterfall is runnable on the right. Put in above the fall or below the diversion dam a few hundred yards downstream. The first few miles are narrow and brushy in places and always shallow. Some logs may have to be dealt with on the fly. About a mile from the put-in the north fork comes in on the right and adds another 50 per cent to the flow. Occasional basalt cliffs provide scenery and rocks for two or three nice boulder gardens.

After three miles, Cobleigh bridge provides a poor take-out (or put-in).

The creek continues to slow, widen, and after miles of cow pasture convince you that it's all over -- 'it' shappens. Slowly the banks steepen, the river steepens and narrows, and just when you think it might get serious ahead, you realize you can't portage and eddies are scarce. After the first plunge things slow down a bit; Stop in the middle of this boulder garden and catch your breath. Hidden behind the rocks below is a full river sweeper. If you move now, all the way river right, you can slip around the roots and save ferrying in front of it later. After miles of cow pasture again convince you that it's all over, you come to the best play waves on the run. Immediately below is a full river ledge. At low water you can play with the stopper. At medium and high water it will play with you. Sneak (squeeze) hard left. Get out at the next bridge.

You can continue about three more miles of ever flattening water to Casey State Park on the Rogue and take out there (watch out for the water fall).

Shuttle: Road Map

To get to the take-out: Go north on Oregon State Highway 62 East [sic] past Casey State Park (a possible take-out). Cross the bridge over the Rogue and turn right on Crowfoot Road. You may wish to stop and park some vehicles here and organize your shuttle as parking is limited at the preferred take-out. Go up Crowfoot 2.5 miles and turn left on Netherlands Road. Go down to the creek and park upstream river left.

To get to the put-in: Continue up and down Crowfoot to the end. Turn left on the unnamed road (Butte Falls Highway) toward Butte Falls. On the way you will pass Cobleigh Road. A left turn here will take you to the access under the bridge. Continuing on toward Butte Falls, just before entering town, turn left on Falls Road (Recycling Center). Pass the sewage pond and go down the dirt road to the picnic area and overlook. Both put-ins are here.