The rapid above Tucker’s: The Stair Steps
November 4, 2011 Leave a comment
The rapid which my Dad called “The Rapid Above Tucker’s” was known locally as the Stair Steps or the Steps. This rapid survived the ’64 flood, although it lost some of the sharpness of its drop since the river widened. The rapid came after a series of narrow drops that were negotiated on the left, because there was a river wide bar. Following the drops, the river turned right and the Steps began. You followed a current on the right passing to the left of two boulders, then made your way to the center to slide over a ledge. This was a tricky maneuver since the ledge was chock full of rocks, and you had a tight squeeze. Once over the ledge, you needed to dodge a few boulders in the left channel, especially the last wave, which was a large hole. The river dropped several feet from the top with the right resembling a falls. Following immediately was a large bar with waves that tried to take you into the bank. This was a rapid that I inner tubed many times with my sister Nancy and my cousin Gregg Turner. It was always a challenge and great fun. Just below was a famous fishing spot, especially for steelhead.
About Robert M. Weiss
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