Park and Ride to Old Mill Catch Pond
Utah – US
- Class
- IV to V
- Length
- 1.25 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 167 FPM
- Put-in elevation
- 4,902 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 4,683 Feet
- Typical season
- April to June
Current Flow
Visual or unknown
No gauge reading is available for this run — check it on site.
- Primary gauge
- VISUAL Gauge detail & alternatives
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 150 |
| Average | 400 |
| Maximum | 700 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
Description
As the creek exits Big Cottonwood Canyon there is a short rompy run. Start at the park and ride at the mouth of the canyon and run the creek to the catch pond below the Old Mill. This has a short season runoff when the snow melts in the spring. As a runoff it is fast and rocky. Don't expect a lot of eddies. If you go for a swim it will be a rough one. Wear appropriate clothing as the water is from snowmelt.
Most of the river can be scouted from the catch pond up to the Old Mill. From above here it's hard to get a good look at the river (maybe from up on Wasatch Blvd looking down). From the park and ride expect some big holes on the other side of the Wasatch Blvd bridge.
Many consider this run in the III to V range. Swimming should be considered a non-option that leans towards a more V rating. However, the must make moves follow more of a IV rating. Have a good brace and know what you are doing. The run is shallow, rocky and raging.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wasatch Catch Hole | IV to V | 150–700 | Right after the bridge is a series of small ledge drops and a hole. Hit it straight with some speed. They don't call it the Wasatch Catch for nothing. This rapid will hit you right after you put in. There isn't much of a warm up. This is the last place you want to swim. It's a long mile to the catch pond from here for a swim. |
Scout from Wasatch Blvd bridge. |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Park and Ride at Big Cottonwood Canyon Mouth | 4,902 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | Exit 6200 S. from I-215. Head east towards the mountains on Wasatch Boulevard. When you see the signs for Big Cottonwood canyon after about 3-4 miles, turn left like you are heading up the canyon. You will immediately see the park and ride on the left hand/north side of the road. Plenty of parking is available here. |
| Take-Out | Old Mill Catch Pond | 4,683 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | Exit 6200 S. from I-215. Head east towards the mountains on Wasatch Boulevard. After a 100 yards turn south onto 3000 East, then take a left at the first light. The road will wrap around a small strip mall. After about a half mile you will see a small parking lot on the south side of the road. You will see the catch pond and the pedestrian bridge that crosses the river at the entrance of the catch pond. If you've made it to here without crashing the bridge signals your freedom into the calm waters of the pond. |
Camps
No river camps added yet.
Permit
No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
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