The Chute of Muddy Creek |

Southern Swell

Floating The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern SwellHiking The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell Floating The Chute of Muddy Creek
Southern Swell

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: River Hiking or Class II Float
CFS RANGE: 150 - 500
CURRENT CFS: Getting current CFS.... Full Details
LENGTH: 6-10 hours

Thu

A 20 percent chance of snow showers after noon.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

46 | 26

Fri

A 30 percent chance of snow showers after noon.  Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.  Little or no snow accumulation expected.

44 | 29

Sat

A slight chance of snow showers after noon.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 22

Sun

A slight chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 25

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 22

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Wading shoes.
FLASHFLOOD: High, do not enter if rain is in the forecast.

Thu

A 20 percent chance of snow showers after noon.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

46 | 26

Fri

A 30 percent chance of snow showers after noon.  Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.  Little or no snow accumulation expected.

44 | 29

Sat

A slight chance of snow showers after noon.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 22

Sun

A slight chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 25

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 22

View Full Weather Details
Early in the float - Chute of Muddy Creek - San Rafael Swell

Early in the float - Chute of Muddy Creek - San Rafael Swell

Often described as "an incredible hike", the Chute of Muddy Creek is also often followed up closely by "...but what a long day.". This is a pretty accurate description. From Tomsich Butte to Hidden Splendor is a long day hike, but is through one of the most impressive non-technical canyon in the Swell. This is a must do for fit hikers. It can be backpacked, but Muddy Creek is not suitable for filtering or drinking, making water availability a problem. There are small springs in lower Chimney Canyon, but by that time, you are not far from the exit. Overall I would recommend doing it as a long day hike, taking all water you will need.

Hiking is not the only option however! The best way to visit Muddy Creek may be via inflatable kayak, but this also may be the most difficult. The float is only Class II, but timing your trip when there is enough water for floating is the crux. Typically the Muddy peaks during spring run-off toward the end of May or early June. Float season is generally only a couple of weeks at best, and levels can fluctuate wildly from day to day. Many of my friends have talked of epics dragging their inflatable kayaks or hardshells for miles when the river dropped on them. Be warned!

Flows

For hiking, I would recommend flows of < 100 cfs. Between 100 and 200 cfs, it is still very hike-able, but bring an inner tube to float the deeper and narrower sections of the Chute. Above 200 it could become difficult crossing some of the rocky rapids.

For floating or canoeing, the river has been done as low as 100 cfs with MUCH dragging. Above 150 cfs is likely the minimum acceptable in an inflatable with some dragging. 200 cfs and higher would be recommended in an inflatable or hardshell kayak. Canoes can be run over 200 cfs, but be prepared to walk rapids, or be highly skilled. Many of the rapids are rocky chutes that are very difficult in a canoe. They can be portaged, however.

Warning: People often ask, and no, this is not a suitable float on a SUP. Hidden strainers and technical rock sections make it best suited to duckies, kayaks, and canoes. My strongest recommendation is for using a duckie. It makes for the easiest and most enjoyable float for most.

Personal Experience
I have hiked it from both the top and bottom at < 100 cfs. This made for shallow wading with a few chest deep holes in the actual chute. Cristina and I attempted it at 120 cfs in an inflatable, and found to much dragging for our taste, so packed up and walked out. We did it again at 220 cfs in a canoe. This proved do-able, but challenging.

Note: The USGS Gauging station is a rough estimate of the flow. There are a couple of diversion dams below it that can reduce the flow, and as the website states: "Data subject to revision". On one attempt the gauge read 180 cfs the day we started, but we found an estimated 100 or 120 cfs. A week later the USGS data had been revised for the day of our attempt to 120.
Someone had a bad day - The Chute of Muddy Creek - San Rafael Swell

Someone had a bad day - The Chute of Muddy Creek - San Rafael Swell

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