FS Road 339 to Arroyo
Forest Service Road 339 9.0 miles
to Junction with Clarion at Arroyo
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 20/26 Tiny (41/68) A/A
mouth
of stream Ridgway
Topographic Maps: Portland Mills
County Maps: Elk
Description: This is a gem. The scenery is excellent with occasional signs of campsites along Forest Service roads that follow parts of the run and a few homes along stream sections not controlled by the National Forest. The action is steady, tree problems are few. Rhododendron and hemlock dominate the lower 2 miles. [Reported 1997]
Difficulties: Four cabled and posted fish refuge areas are located on the run. Each is about 50 yards long. Three are easily carried. Fallen trees are a possibility. One welded-pipe foot bridge has collapsed near water level. Two Class II rapids occur within the first 0.5 miles below the Hallton-Ridgway bridge. Both can be navigated safely on the left.
Shuttle: Put in at the Bear Creek Picnic Area, about 2 miles east of Owls Nest. Shuttle on Forest Service Road 339 to Owl's Nest, and then Forest Service Road 339 to Arroyo bridge. A 3.3 mile shorter run can be had by taking out in Portland Mills.
Gauges: Ridgway. This gauge on nearby Clarion River will probably read above 7.0 feet. Check riffles at Hallton-Ridgway bridge or conditions at put-in.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.