Getting my feet wet at the Zoo

[vaclimber]

Anybody been to the Zoo recently? How deep is the crossing now? How fast is the water?

Just wondering if sandals will work or if i need a boat.

[Raiden]

In the fall there was a tree to cross; not sure if it's still there.
You can slide on your butt if you're not brave across to walk across

[dustonian]

The log got washed out earlier this year in the last set of flash floods unfort. Just wade the creek if the water is high.

[vaclimber]

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind wading, but are we talking knee-level or deeper? Carrying a full-backpack through fast-moving, waist-deep water can be more dangerous than the climbs.

[GaryO]

Last September a friend and I went for a quick afternoon session at the Zoo. A storm was brewing as we left the trail head and the creek was ankle high. We could even rock hop. Wouldn't you know it, as soon as we reached the wall, the skies opened up for a downpour and lightning storm. It rained for close to an hour. Having lost most of our window to the storm we hiked the sodden path back down to the creek to find it a rushing torrent of chocolate milk above the knees. Not wishing to take our chances on wading the rushing and opaque waters, we opted for the soaked, smooth, rather high log crossing. Plenty wide in reality, it felt like highlining while the whole earth spun into a blur beneath our feet. We made it, but I would not go back there with dark skies. Without that log, it would be a scary crossing for me.

[Ascentionist]

The creek there (Middle Fork of Red River) is narrow and tight. There are a lot of strainers downstream. Falling in and getting swept away could be bad. For it to be over knee deep would mean a lot of water had fallen though. Most of the time its probably not going to be that bad. But use good judgment if you get caught on the wrong side.