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| Lying on the north edge of Duluth, the Lester is an incredible run. Easy access, a simple shuttle, and some amazing drops make this a run any boater-city in the nation would be thrilled to claim. A short, usually boney ledge marks the put-in (shown above left). Not far downstream, the first real action on this compact run occurs (above right), as the river drops into a gorge and funnels right to jump off a final ledge before turning back left. |
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The 'next drop' is never far downstream. This one (above left) I call Scream and Shout because the early ledges and slides hide a piton rock (which was nailed by the first two boaters I watched run the drop, hence Scream), followed by some swift moving water leading to the final larger ledge containing a hungry-looking hole. The usual line is to ride a narrow tongue just river-right of the large rock (blocking most of river-left), then launching into the pool below, clear of the hungry hole (likely amid Shouts of your own or others at your success).
The next couple of drops are sweet ramps and slides, as shown above right and below left. |
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The final major drop is Almost Always (pictured above right). The story behind the name refers to the fact that this drop is "almost always" portaged. While it has been run, it is certainly not one to take lightly. Reportedly, the pool at the base is somewhat shallow, so water level is critical to have enough depth, yet not rush the paddler out of control to the brink and have too 'keepy' a hole at its base.
The remainder of the run to Lester Park (and your take-out, just before the confluence with Amity Creek, another sweet run when it has enough water) is boat-scoutable ledges and rapids. A final ledge, just beyond the bridge in the park, may cause some concern at higher levels, but mostly provides a sweet finale to this run. |