Pistol Creek logjam on the Middle Fork Salmon River

On July 24th of 2006, a powerful rainstorm blew out a tiny creek, dislodging debris and trees, hurtling them down the once crystal clear Middle Fork of the Salmon River, where they completely bottled up popular Pistol Creek rapid.
In July of 2006, a downpour brought dead timber and debris into Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River, completely blocking the famous river at Pistol Creek rapid. Bruce Reichert was with a private party that happened upon the logjam early that morning. He contacted Jeff Tucker, who also worked for Idaho Public Television, and Jeff landed with a video camera at Pistol Creek ranch. John and Janette Crancer also helped shoot and produce this account of how the Forest Service dealt with the logjam.
Outdoor Idaho: A Middle Fork Journey features this incident in the half hour show.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Frank Church Wilderness
• Middle Fork :Salmon
• Pistol Creek
• wild fire.

[thereverendkirk]

What they do not show you is the log that flew up and over a small hill and landed on a hiking trail, outside there "blast zone". Nothing about this operation was safe. All they did was turn a natural event into "Look at me.... I`m a Forest Service specialists, I`ll save you, but lets get some TV crews here first." What a joke!!!

[thereverendkirk]

USFS turned this into the biggest circus I have ever been in. There was no need to blast, no need in trampling down vegetation to make a viewing platform to watch the blast.

We portaged our gear raft and a few kayaks and were told we would be arrested at the take out if we left the scene, Just because John Haugh wanted to play with some explosives does not make this the correct action to take. One or one hundred logs across the river you portage and go on your way. USFS specialists what a joke.