Long Devil's Creek
Rating: Classification III, IV+ (V)
Location:
Newton County, USGS-Lurton & Moore Quad.Put in is just South of Ketcherside Mtn on Lurton Quad; start near where map shows Elevation 2059 on road, follow faint remains of old logging road SE downhill then turning to NE and continuing down ridge to the creek junction just below Elevation 1600. Drag from main road is about 0.7 miles to put in. Take out is at Richland Creek Campground.
Gradient:
About 180 ft/mile to junction with Richland.Length:
2.5 miles to Richland creek, then 1.5 miles to campground.Season:
Local FLOOD (Fall through Spring)Gauge:
Gage at Richland Campground needs to be above 6 feet or headed that way.Look for 1.5" or more rain at the Deer and Ben Hur rain gages, as posted on the
Hazards:
Undercut ledges and rocks, overhanging branches, strainers, waterfalls.Description:
First known run was April 30, 1995.By Cowper Chadbourn, Chris Jones, and Nathan Kline, except that Long Devil's Falls (river right side of Twin Falls) was first run April 11, 1995 by Cowper Chadbourn, followed closely by all others who were participating in the first run of Big Devil's on April 11, 1995. First known OC-1 descent by Lance Jones on May 8, 1995. Several "pitons" have occurred on Long Devil's Falls. Many at low water. Keep your speed up and try to launch well into the pool by running left of center.
This run is very similar to Big Devils, but has generally cleaner drops, longer slides, and fewer undercuts. This run has what has to be one of the best (but not the steepest!) rock slides in Arkansas; expect terminal velocity if water is sufficient to prevent scraping! Just below the first waterfall (8 to 10 feet), you will encounter "The Devil's Playground" - look for the runnable channel down the river left side.
The run of Twin Falls is the highlight of the trip. Depending on water level, you may either run the Long Devil's side, or access and run the Big Devil's side via a short carry. Be prepared for a "big water" creek run through some of Richland's most difficult rapids after the junction (IV+ at these levels). All rapids have been run.
Like other micro-volume creeks, meaningful ratings are difficult to establish on the accepted International scale. At lower levels, the creek will seem like a very technical Class III, with much rock bashing, scraping, and some portages. At higher levels, two or more rapids are expected to become solid Class V.
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