what was knee deep yesterday was thigh deep today. Tried to roll up my pantlegs and carry my boots across but too deep. I searched to a snag to cross on but couldn't find anything. Finally just walked across and drained my boots, wrung out my socks and started chopping line. Luckily, someone had put a rope a across the river, which gave me something to hang on to. Worked for a while but just couldn't warm up so I stopped, built a fire and dried out my socks and pants and set up the traverse for a few hours. By the time I got back to the river crossing, the water had risen enough so I had to take out my wallet and stow it in my pack. Sure was nice to have a dry change of clothes in the car.
When I do that, I strip all the way down, cross, and then I have nice dry clothes to wear. The deer do not mind. If it is a semi public area, bring a pair of shorts. I think my polaris would drive right through that though. Anything up to about 3-1/2 ft is ok. Being in the woods is great. Don't be afraid.
Nate
I've kept up with a lightweight 10ft flat bottom boat that ports on my ATV for those situations.
Nate, that was my plan
Then I got the idea that i could make it across by just taking off my boots and rolling up my pants. Figured it would be faster that unhooking my machete, hammer, and pouch. The I got to the deep part and almost fell in with the slippery rocks and current.
So I figured that I would need my boots on anyway to cross and my dickies dry out quick anyway, so I just walked through.
Ayuh...it looks like that was somewhat of a sandy gravel like bottom. The last one I had to cross was not fast moving and had a muddy bottom. I had hip boots but still they got filled...its good you got dried off. Have tied legs and bags on to lines like that...still its better than sitting inside...
Bing Maps View
It's really amazing how much better Bing Maps are than google maps for the exact same area. In Bing maps, you can actually see the volleyball net to the east of the river.
The river crossing is at the upper left. Scroll out and see the rectangular clearcuts to the west. That's what I'm setting up a traverse around.