I have a raft trip scheduled for the Middle Fork putting on Marsh Creek on the 14th of April. I will not run the river if I do not fly it first to check for log jams and avalanche debris. But, I'd rather not get all the way up there and then find out its a no go. If the weather doesn't look good I won't run the river, if there are any avalanche debris field still across the river I won't go.
Has anyone been there lately to see what it looks like? Right now it is myself and one other boat, I would like to have another boat for safety reasons. Anyone here interested? Probably 8 days to 9 days on the river.
Also, are Indian Creek and other strips open by mid April?

It's pretty early yet. I'm licensed as a guide on the middle fork and main, mostly as a hobby to help out a friend of mine who's an outfitter. I recommend getting the "River Maps" guide. USGS measures water level. The flying B gauge is the general yardstick for water level. I'll ask my buddy and see if he's aware of any changes, last I heard he said there were no significant changes in the river despite the earthquake last fall.

Mid April is when the strips start to open up. Thomas is open now but Indian is still snow covered last I heard. I’d call Middle Fork Aviation or Gem Air and ask them.

One of my boating buddies did mid April launches for a few years. Sometimes launching at Indian and other times at Thomas depending on runway conditions.

I haven’t taken the opportunity to float Marsh Creek. There are avalanches along Marsh every winter and your scheduled to go before high water arrives so it’s likely you’ll encounter some wood. It would be worth flying Marsh beforehand. If your running cats then walking them over some wood isn’t too bad.

I’d swag the water will be 2.5ft when you go which is a pretty fun level. Middle Fork Lodge is where the gauge is located.

whee wrote:Mid April is when the strips start to open up. Thomas is open now but Indian is still snow covered last I heard. I’d call Middle Fork Aviation or Gem Air and ask them.

One of my boating buddies did mid April launches for a few years. Sometimes launching at Indian and other times at Thomas depending on runway conditions.

I haven’t taken the opportunity to float Marsh Creek. There are avalanches along Marsh every winter and your scheduled to go before high water arrives so it’s likely you’ll encounter some wood. It would be worth flying Marsh beforehand. If your running cats then walking them over some wood isn’t too bad.

I’d swag the water will be 2.5ft when you go which is a pretty fun level. Middle Fork Lodge is where the gauge is located.

whee
When do you think the strips will be ready to land, meaning not soft and wet to be able to get in and fish? We are looking forward to getting in some early season fishing.