Information on Shop Cr.
Rating: III-V *
TDCR: 8878
Location: Newton Co.; Take USFS Road 1206D (unmarked dirt road)
north of Hwy. 16 from Deer till you pass Alum Cove. Before
you reach Wayton, there are two dirt roads in quick succession
that head west (to the left). Shortly after these a single
dirt track heads due east at a 90 deg. angle to the main road.
Take this road and drive about 1/2 mile then walk the trail
leading downhill and to the east 1/2 mile. When you reach
the bottom of the gorge head left and you will intersect the
creek. This is the put-in. Take out at the bridge south of
Parthenon. (NOTE: the creek is labeled as West Fork Shop Cr.
on my Parthenon topo quad. Spellings of "Shop" Cr. may vary.)
Area Map
Topo Quad(s): Deer, Parthenon
Gradient: 120 fpm (upper gorge is 200 fpm)
Length: > 6 mi.
Season: FLOOD
Gauge: The EFLB should be flooded for a run on Shop Cr. A put in soon
after very heavy rainfall is required for a run.
Hazards: Strainers, tight and technical drops, undercuts
Description: Shop Cr. was first run by Randy Jackson and Robert
Handford in March 1988. It has been run only a few times since.
It is a very steep, tight, technical run with solid, continuous
class III-IV rapids in the upper 200 fpm section. Big rocks
form big, continuous drops with lots of hazards. Major drops
include (but are not limited to): Hypermart (IV), Checkout Line
(V), Blue Light Special (III+), Express Lane (III), No Refund
(III), and Thanks for Shopping (III+). Above and between
Hypermart and Checkout Line the creek is nearly continuous
class III+. All boaters should have very, very
advanced skills and be confident on tight class IV+ water.
Be prepared for severe consequences if you underestimate the
difficulty of this run or overestimate your skill. A high water
trip in June, 2000 resulted in several very good paddlers walking
out of the gorge, and one needing dental work. Be careful out
there. Thanks to Shelby Johnson for information on this creek.
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