Dylan came up to visit last week, but with cold temperatures and not much running, we didn't expect to be boating. We spent the first day praying for rain and scouting a few creeks I haven't looked at in a while.

 First up was Whetstone Gulf, a constricted gorge with some steep drops. I hiked the whole thing about 3 years ago, and didn't think it was possible. Coming back with more experience, however, it very clearly is.

As you can see, the major action takes place in the first mile or so...

The first drop is steep, bouncy, and probably around 20 feet tall.

That would be this one...

The next significant one is a slide that wraps around a corner. And the final drop is a 6-8 foot ledge immediately followed by a 90 degree turn. The series is very committing, with vertical walls and no real eddies to speak of, but the drops all go. The final drop has a bad habit of collecting wood, and there's no great way to scout it, so it's best to hike in at low water before sending her.

Looking upstream from below the 90 degree corner.

(Rumor has it that Scott Busch has run this, but I can't confirm. Anyone?)

Another creek we checked out was Mill Creek in Turin. Although Dylan doesn't like walking, the prospect of seeing an unrun(?) 60 footer got him moving. Once again, this was a river I checked out a few years ago, but perspective has changed a great deal. Guessing from the lip, the drop looked closer to 45, and the pool at the base looked much bigger. Other scouters have measured the depth at only chest high, but high water might back up the pool. 

If you don't plan on running that drop though, you may as well park at the bottom and walk to the base of the falls. The good gradient is there, and rope work to portage the falls would be a pain.

The next day, Ed rallied to the Lowville area for some Mill Creek action, and we all got on a new (to us) tributary that starts on the Gardner Road. It was definitely the minimum flow, but still very enjoyable. It drops something like 200 feet in three quarters of a mile, which leaves very little room for flatwater.

A quick lap on Mill creek rounded out the day.

Check out some footage!