Anybody been up to Crooked yet? How were the conditions and water levels?

Was going to ask the same. I put in on the 25th. Plan on taking Horse up to Crooked. Can post what the outfitter thinks on Tuesday.

I talked to the Kawishiwi Ranger office this morning and the person I spoke to was very helpful but didn't have any first hand reports of the Crooked Loop. They did say the water on Crooked is expected to continue to rise another 11-15 inches thru May 25th. They said some campsites and portages are likely under water, so be prepared to change your route as you go based on conditions.

I'm sure Big Current is living up to its name

Going that way in July this year from Mudro. Might actually be able to paddle Pickett Creek this year!

Bushman: "Going that way in July this year from Mudro. Might actually be able to paddle Pickett Creek this year!"

July water levels likely won't have much to do with what they're seeing now.

jwmiller39: "Anybody been up to Crooked yet? How were the conditions and water levels? "

Just came out today. Went in through Horse last Wednesday and came out through gun/boot today. Levels on the horse were high and at least one of the portages was unreachable because of fast water so we had to bushwack for a little to get to it. Pretty easy trip other than that, at least better than when we were up in the fall a couple of years ago and the levels were too low. LBF was roaring and there was a lot of current at every narrow spot through crooked. I saw at least 3 sites on crooked with fire pits underwater. Never went over to big current but little current was really moving. Plenty of fish along the edges of current. We were mostly jigging minnows but also did well with crankbaits trolling and casting. Came out through gun because we did not want to paddle back up all of that current.

Wise choice

kraig118: "

jwmiller39: "Anybody been up to Crooked yet? How were the conditions and water levels? "

Just came out today. Went in through Horse last Wednesday and came out through gun/boot today. Levels on the horse were high and at least one of the portages was unreachable because of fast water so we had to bushwack for a little to get to it. Pretty easy trip other than that, at least better than when we were up in the fall a couple of years ago and the levels were too low. LBF was roaring and there was a lot of current at every narrow spot through crooked. I saw at least 3 sites on crooked with fire pits underwater. Never went over to big current but little current was really moving. Plenty of fish along the edges of current. We were mostly jigging minnows but also did well with crankbaits trolling and casting. Came out through gun because we did not want to paddle back up all of that current."

I'm going in on June 2nd and planning that same route. I'm curious as to whether the water levels dropped much during the time that you were out there. When we went in last June we skipped Horse River because of low water and came up at the bottom of Friday Bay, so it has been four years since I paddled down the Horse River. I'm definitely in favor of the long portage and coming out through Gun, etc. instead of fighting current on the Horse River.

kraig118: "

jwmiller39: "Anybody been up to Crooked yet? How were the conditions and water levels? "

Just came out today. Went in through Horse last Wednesday and came out through gun/boot today. Levels on the horse were high and at least one of the portages was unreachable because of fast water so we had to bushwack for a little to get to it. Pretty easy trip other than that, at least better than when we were up in the fall a couple of years ago and the levels were too low. LBF was roaring and there was a lot of current at every narrow spot through crooked. I saw at least 3 sites on crooked with fire pits underwater. Never went over to big current but little current was really moving. Plenty of fish along the edges of current. We were mostly jigging minnows but also did well with crankbaits trolling and casting. Came out through gun because we did not want to paddle back up all of that current."

Excellent report. Exactly what I came here to see. Glad to hear the fish cooperated for you!

kraig118: "

jwmiller39: "Anybody been up to Crooked yet? How were the conditions and water levels? "

Just came out today. Went in through Horse last Wednesday and came out through gun/boot today. Levels on the horse were high and at least one of the portages was unreachable because of fast water so we had to bushwack for a little to get to it. Pretty easy trip other than that, at least better than when we were up in the fall a couple of years ago and the levels were too low. LBF was roaring and there was a lot of current at every narrow spot through crooked. I saw at least 3 sites on crooked with fire pits underwater. Never went over to big current but little current was really moving. Plenty of fish along the edges of current. We were mostly jigging minnows but also did well with crankbaits trolling and casting. Came out through gun because we did not want to paddle back up all of that current."

Great info. Would you consider paddling down and up the Horse River for a day trip at this point (going in tomorrow) or would you avoid it due to faster water?

Went to Crooked 5/17 - 5/21. As previously mentioned water levels were very high. For example, Table Rock was completely submerged. We entered and exited at Mudro and took the Horse River route both to and from our destination. We camped near American current north of Weds bay which was our planned destination. We had very little difficulty paddling up the Horse on the return trip. There were 2 additional portages and also the previously mentioned bushwhack due to high water levels creating rapids that we not doable upstream but other than that we had no issues. Fishing was excellent near current and pinchpoints using jigs and minnows. We are fairly strong paddlers, mid 30's to early 40's.

ScottL, that mile portage out of Crooked, is one of the easiest 300 rd portages I've been on. It was flat, and wide.

analyzer: "ScottL, that mile portage out of Crooked, is one of the easiest 300 rd portages I've been on. It was flat, and wide."

Not a flat portage, A decent hump in the middle- a good steady climb in both directions.

Thanks for the intel Kraig118. Going in and heading to big current area on 6/3. ScottL leave us a campsite please.

We are going in the 8th...will probably be in the same area (Big/Little Current) on the 9th. Hoping to find a site as well and a few fish!

Heading up to Crooked on 6/7. Hoping to stay west of big current.

Just came out today. Entered Mudro 5/20. Did the Horse River/LBF/Crooked/Gun/Fourtown loop. Horse River was fast/high (5/20). Water was quite high on Crooked, 2-3 feet above normal if not more. Several fire grates partially submerged…not useable camp sites (5/20-5/24). Curtain Falls was raging-portage to Iron had a section that required a put in and 50 foot paddle at about the midway point (5/24). Water levels on Papoose-Fourtown were not much higher than normal (5/25). Lot of cars at the EP, however, didn’t seem crowded on Crooked.