Muddy Fork (Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muddy Fork |
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 Location of the mouth of the Muddy Fork in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Clackamas County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Sandy Glacier on the west slope of Mount Hood Mount Hood Wilderness, Clackamas County, Oregon 5,890 ft (1,800 m) 45°23′18″N 121°43′41″W / 45.38833°N 121.72806°W |
| River mouth | Sandy River Mount Hood National Forest, Clackamas County, Oregon 2,638 ft (804 m) 45°23′40″N 121°49′04″W / 45.39444°N 121.81778°W |
| Length | 6 mi (9.7 km) |
The Muddy Fork is a small river, or 'tributary,' in Oregon, USA. It's about 6 miles (10 km) long. This river flows into the larger Sandy River.
The Muddy Fork starts at the bottom of the Sandy Glacier. This glacier is on the west side of Mount Hood, a very tall mountain. The river then flows west through a wild area called the Mount Hood Wilderness. This area is part of the Mount Hood National Forest.
Finally, the Muddy Fork joins the Sandy River in a place called Old Maid Flat. This spot is about 5 miles (8 km) northeast of a town called Rhododendron. People can sometimes fish in the Muddy Fork for a type of fish called coastal cutthroat trout.
River's Journey
The Muddy Fork begins high up, about 5,890 feet (1,795 meters) above sea level. It starts at the foot of the Sandy Glacier. This area is part of the Cascade Range mountains.
The entire river stays within the Mount Hood National Forest. It also stays within Clackamas County in Oregon. From where it starts to where it ends, the river drops about 3,252 feet (991 meters). This means it loses about 500 feet (152 meters) in height for every mile it travels.
The river generally flows west from the glacier. It passes south of a place called McNeil Point. This point is on the river's right side. Then, it flows between Yocum Ridge on its left and Bald Mountain on its right.
The famous Pacific Crest Trail crosses the Muddy Fork near the start of Old Maid Flat. The Sandy River also enters Old Maid Flat nearby. The two rivers flow side-by-side across the flat land. They meet near Last Chance Mountain, which is on the right side of the Muddy Fork. This meeting point is upstream from Fred McNeil Campground and Lolo Pass Road. The Muddy Fork does not have any smaller streams that flow into it that have their own names.
Fishing in the Muddy Fork
You can't fish for salmon in the Muddy Fork. However, the river has wild cutthroat trout that are a good size.
If you want to fish for cutthroat trout, you must release them after you catch them. This is called 'catch and release' fishing. You can only use artificial flies and lures. The best time to fish is usually in the spring. This is before the melting glacier water makes the river too cloudy with silt.
