Gauge Conditions

Indian Creek near Happy Camp CA Downstream Primary

Runnable: 450.0 – 800.0 CFS

Clear Creek usually has the same flow as Indian Creek (where the gauge is located) but this may be affected by the 2020 Slater Fire, making Clear Creek a bit l

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

Photo

Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

Cottonmouth is a long rapid that cannot be fully scouted and that also can't be portaged. It's named for the dry mouth you'll get when you realize you can't see all of the big holes in the drop and that you also can't portage due to vertical canyon walls. Scout what you can from the top, stay upright, and punch the big holes you can't quite see in the middle and bottom. There's a long, slow pool at the bottom. Slippery View River Access is a couple minute paddle out from the bottom of Cottonmouth.