Resurrection Creek (Packraft)

Resurrection Pass is a trail for all outdoors people and all seasons. It is a popular hike or horseback ride in the summer and fall, has outstanding mountain biking when the trail dries out, and is a common cross country ski touring destination. In addition to all that, it provides great packraft access to Resurrection Creek, which flows north from the Pass to the town of Hope, on Turnagain Arm. Resurrection Creek has great whitewater, so if you’ve walked and biked Resurrection Pass enough, next time take the packraft.

In the "Cascades" gorge

The Resurrection Pass trailhead is just a few miles south of Hope, down a gravel road that heads south. The trailhead has a large steel bridge crossing the creek, which is both the starting point for a hike up Resurrection Creek and a possible take out for packrafters. Take a minute and sign the trail log to help the Forest Service keep track of how many people use and love this trail.

Since Resurrection Pass trail follows the creek, paddlers can walk as far upstream as they want and paddle back down. The river moves quickly, however, so if you’re making the drive you might as well walk in a ways. Packrafters who are comfortable with Class III can put in approximately four miles upstream, near where the trail runs directly beside the river, and beyond the first designated campsite. This put in is upstream of the lower canyon (Class III with potential strainer hazards) but downstream of the Class IV canyon known as the “Cascades.”

For paddlers who want to descend the Cascades, continue walking upstream. There is a well worn overlook on the trail that provides a view down into a gorge in which the Cascades are located. This overlook provides a fair view of the largest rapid, which is a complex drop of approximately eight feet off of a broken rock shelf. Take a close look at this rapid before running it, since it has powerful holes and rocks that could result in a dangerous pin. If you don't like the looks of this rapid, it is possible to bushwhack down from the overlook and put in downstream of it, in the middle of the short gorge. Or, continue walking upstream. It is possible to put in far upstream of the Cascades and run upper Resurrection Creek. Roman Dial has a detailed entry about the nature of the upper river on packrafting.org.

Paddlers who put in at the Cascades or below have a short trip, a half day or less in these long summer hours. The Cascades section has four significant rapids (Class III and IV), with pinning hazards due to a few ill situated rocks. It is imperative to scout these, ensure there aren't strainers in them before descending, and pick a relatively safe line.

Below the Cascades, Resurrection Creek mellows out for a few miles of Class I riffles. Just watch out for strainers, of which there are likely to be some that might require portaging on the bank or a gravel bar. When the current begins to pick back up and the walls rise up from the river, pay close attention to the rapids. This marks the beginning of the lower canyon, which has enjoyable rapids but often has strainers. As of June 2015, there is a particularly nasty strainer in the first significant rapid of the lower canyon. Since it occurs just past paddlers' line of sight around a bend, it can be hard to see if you don't scout the rapid in advance. The lower canyon has several more Class II and III drops downstream of the one with a strainer.

Before long the lower canyon's walls drop away and you'll recognize landmarks from the lower Resurrection River near the trailhead. This section of the river is unusual because it was the subject of an extensive restoration project to fix horrific streambed damage caused by placer mining. The Forest Service did an outstanding job with the restoration, and once again paddlers will see salmon ascending Resurrection Creek on their way to spawn. This restored part of the creek has enjoyable Class II rapids, which continue down to the trailhead bridge. It is possible to continue to the road bridge near Hope, but continue to be vigilant for strainers, including one just a quarter mile downstream of the trailhead bridge.

Resurrection Creek is a great local packraft run, adding variety to a popular trail that paddlers might otherwise overlook. It has intermediate whitewater, although strainers significantly increase the consequences of mistakes. Resurrection Creek holds water much better than other local favorites like Willow, and it can be a good level when Six Mile is fairly high. Give it a paddle, and take your saw to clear out some wood for the next packrafters who take a trip.