The Guidebook

To visit the LiquidLore Guidebook, click right here. It's the starting point for all kinds of whitewater beta and the main reason this site exists - be sure to check it out.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Class IV Classics: Lynn Creek

Check out the beta for Lynn Creek at this link.

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It was a long time living in Vancouver before I actually got on Lynn Creek, one of the very popular urban North Shore runs. Following a small disaster (snowfall in the city, it's a big deal when the snowplows are pickup trucks) the Lynn filled with logs and other forest debris and for almost a year this was the way it was. There had to have been enough wood in there to build several log houses, not including a massive log jam at perhaps the most inconvenient spot on the whole run that essentially rendered the whole thing unrunnable. I guess there was an excuse.

It turns out the wood and even the log jam eventually washed away with some encouragement from high water and the local beaver population; the Lynn was re-opened for buisness. It's a great local river with a good mix of whitewater that sits somewhere between the Cap and Seymour in difficulty - crystal clear water, good rapids and a cool canyon conspire to make it a worthwhile run to paddle when it has water. It's a small drainage that drops out all to quickly when the rain stops.

Standing head and shoulders above the rest of the run in both difficulty and intimidation factor is the optional waterfall at the put in called Twin Falls. A popular swimming hole in the summer, this drop transforms into a frothing monster when the water rises that will freeze the blood of anyone who seriously considers paddling over the edge, especially at high levels. The nasty rapid in the run out doesn't help the situation.

Maybe someone will go run the waterfalls found above Twin Falls one of these days - they are definitely stout.

Here are just a few snapshots of the Lynn at a solid level in the low 30's - click the link at the top of the post to get all the beta.


Twin Falls at a solid flow - Matt Mackinnon. The spectators on the bridge were fired up.


Sky High Log Drop - named after a log that has since washed away.


A fun canyon at the end of the Lynn.

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