On a typical day in March a group of us decided to run Eagle Creek, with two paddlers who have been on the run multiple times and four of us first timers. We met at the put in at 8:00 am to get prepared for the three mile hike in. As we were figuring out our strapping systems for our boats the mist came, down putting a nice layer of water on all of our gear. Chuck Taylor, Bill Jankovick, Ben Reif, Bill Bowie, Luke Spencer and I started our way up the trail on Eagle Creek.
Being the first time here I couldn't wait to see Punchbowl Falls, I've seen this drop on so many videos and pictures and have always wanted to run it. My anticipation of running this falls soon dissapeared as I started the hike up the creek. This has to be the most beautiful hike I have ever taken, walking up this drainage was amazing, we kept going up higher and higher until we were about 300 feet above the creek. It was amazing, the lushness and beauty of this creek was spectacular, I couldn't wait to see what was around each bend. Finally we arrived at Punchbowl, just looking at the falls was breathtaking. After pausing to enjoy the view we Immediately started talking about the lines we were going to take. After a little break we continued on another 3/4 mile until we arrived at Skoonichuck Falls, a 60 foot double drop (a 40 footer into a 20 footer). All of us looking at this drop from above, choosing our lines and some of us having second thoughts of running it. Bill J decided not to run it and set up safety, and video at the bottom of the drop, the rest of us up there waiting for his OK. Luke decided to run it first, hitting his line perfectly on the 40 footer in order to get set up for the 20 foot boof. He made it look so easy. Next Chuck decided to run it and plugged the top one and rolled up in time to run the next drop backwards breaking his backband in the process. Chuck gives the OK and next was Bill Bowie. He plugs the top one, misses his first roll and does his second one as he's going over the next drop and landing in the hole at the bottom. Next was Ben, again plugging the top one, no one saw him go over the second drop, from up top we were all looking at each other wondering where he was, then we saw him upside down in the hole at the bottom of the second drop, then he rolls up and works his way out. After seeing these last three lines I lost a lot of ambition to run this drop and decided to portage and put in below.
Finally with all of us in the water we headed down river, coming to several descent sized rapids and running them all. It was turning out to be such a beautiful day. Not only being able to hike up such a gorgeous gorge but also being at the bottom of it all also. It',s amazing looking up into 200 foot cliffed out walls with the river being only 15-20 feet wide. Finally we worked our way down to Punchbowl Falls.
Chuck showed us where to get out to scout the falls, the scout is a little sketchier then actually running the falls. With all of us looking at the drop we were a little concerned with the entrance drop a 8 foot slide, there were two huge logs rotating in the eddy, and getting pushed right into where we wanted to go and then back into the eddy. So what we decided to do was have one person run and have another to give the OK when the logs were out of the way. Luke went first and got pushed into the seam but still had a good line. Next was Chuck, trying to get farther left then Luke he paddled hard all the way to the lip actually falling off the drop sideways and hitting his stern on a rock at the top making him do something that looked like a sideway freewheel. Then Bill J went, taking almost the same line as Chuck only taking a stroke at the lip to straighten out and having a great line. Then I decided to go, being a little nervous I had to run it right away. I could see Ben heading for his boat also with me being just a little ahead of him, and we talked and I said I had to go now, so he let me go first. He gives me the OK to avoid the logs and I ran the first drop great, now I'm directly above punchbowl and the only way out is down. I line up, punch the seam and went far river left ontop of the boil, right where I wanted to go, taking one last stroke at the lip I tucked and entered the water perfectly but still breaking my paddle in half. Then Ben ran it but I never ended up seeing him go but from what I heard it went good. Now to portage Metlako Falls a 101 foot plunge, recently run by Dave Grove.
We hiked around Metlako and put in a 1/2 mile below the falls, and ran it out the the fish hatchery. I can't wait to go back to this beautiful creek and also run Skoonichuck.
Eagle Creek, What a place!
~Nate~