River: North Santiam (Packsaddle to Fisherman's Bend)
Meeting Location: Fisherman's Bend (BLM) Boat Launch Parking Lot (Takeout) at 10 a.m.. Located 1-1/2 Miles West of Mill City
Date: Saturday, October 11th, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Rating: Class II & III
Length: 9 Miles
Contact: Scott Harvey: hadjimann@yahoo.com
Trip Information: Experience the beautiful fall colors on our annual North Santiam trip. The float will be from Packsaddle to Fisherman's Bend (BLM). Starting in early fall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers usually start their annual reservoir drawdowns from both Detroit and Big Cliff Dams to allow capacity for winter rains behind the concrete dams. This is usually a substantial flow increase to around 2,000 cfs, from the minimal summertime flows of 1,040 cfs. It should be High Indian Summer and a great time for a day run on the North Santiam River. We'll put in at Packsaddle, run for a couple of hours, have lunch and then finish up and take out at Fisherman's Bend Boat Launch and with a total of just over 9 miles. There is a mixture of rapids, waves, riffles and play spots, with only about three rapids that require much planning. although at low water levels this run can be bony. Spencer's Hole, Carnivore and Mill City Falls are the three liveliest rapids, and one needs to know where to go over the rock dam at Mill City to avoid the rocks. (The dam should be approached immediately to the left of a small fountain-like plume that is visible from upstream). Meeting time will be at 10 am @ Fisherman's Bend boat launch parking lot (The Takeout).
NOTE: Some individuals may prefer to takeout at North Santiam Park (additional 3 miles to the trip). If this is the case, please let me know ahead of time.