Illinois River – November 12-13, 2016
From a photography perspective this was about the most perfect trip you could have on the Illinois. It had not rained in roughly a week and the water was crystal clear. The sun came out multiple times throughout the trip. The flow was on the low side but with how saturated the area had become (we had one of the the wettest Octobers on record) the creeks were still pumping in lots of water.
We left Selma around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Arrived at South Bend at 3:30 p.m. Left South Bend the next morning at 9:30 a.m. and found ourselves at Oak Flat right at 3:00 p.m. The icing on the cake was that Bear Camp was still open for the shuttle drive back.
Video by Aaron Babcock:
Aaron’s run through Green Wall:

Beautiful water on the Illinois River.

Frank Debaugh looking downstream above Pine Creek Rapid.

Looking upstream just above Pine Creek Rapid.

Looking upstream from Klondike Creek.

Great weather on the Illinois River. Just above Yukon Bar.

David, Thomas, and Michael punching through a hole on the Illinois River.

Brian and John entering the bottom drop at Green Wall.

Jake Wallace in Green Wall.

Frank Debaugh entering Green Wall.

Thomas Hood in Green Wall.

Sami toward the bottom of Green Wall.

Aaron Babcock and Kelsey in the midst of Green Wall.

Adam Spencer and crew through Green Wall.

Ryan Arsenault in Green Wall, Illinois River.

Sunshine and waterfalls on the Illinois River.

The lower canyon of the Illinois River is stunning in the sun.

Group shot at Indigo Creek.
3 Comments
nice photos. makes me wish i had gotten a trip together this fall. I like the low water just fine.
Damn, nice work! I clearly need to get myself closer to southwestern Oregon again.
2017 is the year to do the Illinois for the first time!