Silver Creek - Cowlitz Drainage

Have done Lower Silver Creek a few times, and Upper Silver Creek once.  This was a few years ago, so can't speak to the current situation.  Both runs are good, the Lower would be the best bet for quality / work ratio.  Hike in isn't bad, but allow an hour to do some route finding, and get to the river.  The Upper has some interesting stuff in it, but more dealing.   There's a spot just below the confluence with Lynx Creek, where you're boxed in.  If there's wood there, you're going to be screwed.

 

Level info.....there use to be an old bridge footer at the take-out that had rivets on it that were a great reference for levels.....but that's gone, since they built a new bridge, and you're stuck with visual reference.  I recollect a rock downstream of the bridge, that is good reference....water flowing over, but not a pour over.  From a gages perspective, the difference between Cow@Pack and Cow@Randle should be approx. 3000 during snowmelt......this accounts for Skate, Johnson, Silver, and some other tribs.

 

Last note...check with the Forest Service to find out the condition of FR47, since it's had issues in the past.

 

JD