AB (Middle): Cranberry Recreation Area to Big Rock

This section of the Cranberry is known by local paddlers as the Middle Cranberry. Some paddlers who have not paddled the section above this call it the Upper Cranberry. This is classic creek boating in a beautiful wilderness setting. It is almost continuous class III+ ledges and boulder gardens. Probably the biggest and most difficult rapid is S-Turn (class IV at moderate levels). It is located about 2 miles downstream from the altermate putin (or about 3 miles above the takeout). It is a good idea to road scout this rapid on your way to the putin and shore scout it again on you way down the river. After this the river mellows out just a bit the rest of the way to the takeout. FS 76 follows the river closely for the entire run, offering numerous options for putting on or taking out. In addition to Big Rock and Cranberry campgrounds there are about a dozen individual campsites right along the river, immediately off the road. Facilities are limited to fire rings and picnic tables, but there are vault toilets located at a few spots along the road. As of 9/16 these sites are just $5 per night. Putin: Cranberry Campground on FS 76 Alternate Putin: Picnic area (about 2 miles downstream) Takeout: First pulloff on the right upstream of where FS 76 crosses the river.