[pct-l] River crossings

[Eric Lee]

Cheri wrote:
> I recognize that any river crossing can potentially be dangerous depending on flooding and
> other factors, but I was wondering which rivers on the trail are the most notoriously difficult
> to cross in your experience?

It's really hard to answer that question for precisely the reason you stated: it depends on environmental factors that can change drastically from day to day, mostly due to snowmelt, but also rainstorms.

The Sierra would definitely take top honors here.  There are several rivers in the Sierra that have reputations for being difficult in the midst of a big snow melt-off, which is usually what is happening when the thrus are there, though not so much this year.  I can't name them from memory; maybe someone else could.  Evolution Creek is one.

The Sandy River north of Mt. Hood in Oregon is vicious after a rainstorm and has killed people in the past.  There are a couple of other streams in Oregon and Washington that can be tough after a storm, but they usually subside pretty quickly again.  Just be patient.

With any river crossing that seems sketchy, the best strategy is to scout upstream and downstream for a better crossing, or wait for the water to go down.  Snowmelt subsides in the morning, and rainstorm runoff doesn't usually last that long in the summer.  When you're picking a ford, go for the widest place you can find because the force of the current will be distributed.  Intuitively we look for a narrow place but that's usually all wrong.  There are lots of other river-crossing tips and I'm sure people will share them if you ask.

Eric