Creek Crossing Question

[Bolt]

This year my hunting partner and I have selected an area that we will have several creek crossings (8 I am told). We are packing all our gear no horses for us but if we down something, I have an outfitter that will come and get the meat because it is so far back.
Have any of you used an over the boot wader that is reliable and lightweight? Looking for any other ideas as well, I would prefer not to pull the boots off each time and wet wade if possible but that is an option. I am told water is just above the knee in most spots.

[CurlyTail]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PCAGY4Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a similar issue. This is what I am trying this year. Should slip on over your boots, and slip off once on the other side. My plan is to share a pair with my hunting partner, and just roll them up and toss them back over the stream once the first person is across.

I have not actually tried them, and reviews are mixed. They are thin and lightweight. And cheap. I think they will hold up for a season. People who reported problems were trying to actually wade and fish in them for a prolonged period of time.

Something to consider. Making your own pair out of slightly heavier material is another option. I even have a couple of large dry bags that could do the trick but you would have to hold them up, they are heavier and more expensive. Heavy duty trash bags are probably not tough enough.

I hate getting my boots wet and walking in them. Gaiters might help for a one step stream, but that is about it. I hate getting slowed down to take off my boots, slip on the Crocs, and cross. Takes forever. Maybe someone has a better solution.

[Swede]

I don't know what your situation is, but would a pair of cheap tennis shoes work until you are finished crossing the stream eight times? Then you could put on your boots and go from there. I too would hate to take my boots off and on 8 times on a hike in, and have to repeat that in the evening coming back to camp. I do not want wet feet all day either.

[Bolt]

I had seen mixed reviews on the over the boot waders saying hey leak quickly, so I am apprehensive about them. Wet feet are not an option, one mile in is the first crossing and I will still have six to go. I would get blisters for sure with wet feet. I also thought about putting on my felt sole boots and hip waders I use fishing but don’t want to have to throw my boots in an already heavy pack

[BrentLaBere]

strap some crocs to your backpack for the crossings? That might help and is light weight.

[Swede]

Crocks are great for a one time crossing, or maybe two, but not a good option when you are talking about 7 or 8 times in and out. Sacks over your boots won't hold up well. If tennis shoes with no socks are not an option, maybe a pair of hip waders would work. I am not excited about wearing a pair of them for any distance, but you will need to do something to protect your feet. The other options I can think up are not good either.

[cohunter]

I've used waders similar to those before. My advice:don't. You might be able improve them by punching a bunch of holes in the bottom to let the water back out after you've crossed
Better options include
- walking across on your hands
- building a small dam out of rocks
- channeling your inner cowboy to rope a tree on the other side, followed by using your Tarzan powers to swing across
- quickly carving a canoe
- strapping yourself into a hastily constructed trebuchet
- find Moses's staff
- cajoling Swede into carrying you across in trade for a snickers bar (just be sure to slip the stash of 16!?! into his pack before you head out)

All kidding aside, I'm sure these have improved since the time I used them; but so have trash bags. I don't think either would survive 8 crossings. Both should be considered disposable. I'm with Swede: an old pair of tennis shoes would be great. Better yet, a pair of flip flops which would dry quickly or maybe even spring for a pair of crocs - they'd dry quickly and be fairly comfortable for giving your feet a break from boots around camp. They'd be less pack weight than those waders too.

[Elkhunttoo]

We just bought 3 pairs of the hip waders... I haven't got to try mine yet but both my cousins did. 3 swift mountain creek crossings just over knee deep and small holes in both pairs. Very minimal water coming in but not 8 crossing yet either.

I started this same topic a while back and I don't think there is a great product yet. Maybe a business idea for some one!!!!
I packed my water shoes last year, they weigh about the same as crocs but more protection from Little Rock's, I would take my boots off and use the vet sleeve gloves and put over my socks and pants, I used electric tape and taped the sleeves just above my knee so they wouldn't fall, stay tight, and my hands were free. I put the water shoes on and never got wet... not the best solution and that's why I bought the hip waders, I think the swiftness of the creeks, and size of rocks really come into play on how long they they will last

[Lefty]

I've used waders similar to those before. My advice:don't. You might be able improve them by punching a bunch of holes in the bottom to let the water back out after you've crossed
Better options include
- walking across on your hands
- building a small dam out of rocks
- channeling your inner cowboy to rope a tree on the other side, followed by using your Tarzan powers to swing across
- quickly carving a canoe
- strapping yourself into a hastily constructed trebuchet
- find Moses's staff
- cajoling Swede into carrying you across in trade for a snickers bar (just be sure to slip the stash of 16!?! into his pack before you head out)

All kidding aside, I'm sure these have improved since the time I used them; but so have trash bags. I don't think either would survive 8 crossings. Both should be considered disposable. I'm with Swede: an old pair of tennis shoes would be great. Better yet, a pair of flip flops which would dry quickly or maybe even spring for a pair of crocs - they'd dry quickly and be fairly comfortable for giving your feet a break from boots around camp. They'd be less pack weight than those waders too.

All great ideas!!!!

( I was going to add go in early,.. and build bridges.
When I was 12 years old my dad dropped a tree across a small river to hunt a neat little secluded place near Hinkley Mn. Im sure there has to be a law against it now.

If your packing in that much gear you will want to stop and rest,,..We use to portage when fishing the BWCA in northern Mn. Old sturdy tennis shoes with that many crossings
Can you pack in some of your gear earlier in the season? go in set up the location for camp,.. cut too much firewood set up a ridge , bear and meat pole(or store them just off the ground) and haul the saw and ax back out. Dont be afraid to take items in and cache them before season

[TimeOnTarget]

I've always just found a downed tree that was across the creek and walked across on the tree. Last year when I had half an elk on my back, I crawled across on a tree.

[Swede]

I have had to cross a stream numerous times, but never had to cross the same one 7 or 8 times on my way out to hunt. I crossed and went on up the mountain side and was done until it was time to return to the truck or camp. This multiple crossing affair is new to me.

[Indian Summer]

I'll sell you a pair if you're interested. They are Neos The Sourdough Slippers out of Alaska made specifically for that. Very lightweight and compact but the bottoms are solid with a very aggressive tread on the sole. They are made for moose and caribou hunting where weight is an issue and water crossings are very common. I bought them for a moose hunt and ended up on a lake so never used them.

[NorthIDTLH]

I used to have a pair of ass-less chaps just like that!!!!

[longbowelk]

I still use a water shoe or croc for lots of water crossings.

[Bolt]

I'll sell you a pair if you're interested. They are Neos The Sourdough Slippers out of Alaska made specifically for that. Very lightweight and compact but the bottoms are solid with a very aggressive tread on the sole. They are made for moose and caribou hunting where weight is an issue and water crossings are very common. I bought them for a moose hunt and ended up on a lake so never used them.

What is the weight? and your price?

[Bolt]

I've used waders similar to those before. My advice:don't. You might be able improve them by punching a bunch of holes in the bottom to let the water back out after you've crossed
Better options include
- walking across on your hands
- building a small dam out of rocks
- channeling your inner cowboy to rope a tree on the other side, followed by using your Tarzan powers to swing across
- quickly carving a canoe
- strapping yourself into a hastily constructed trebuchet
- find Moses's staff
- cajoling Swede into carrying you across in trade for a snickers bar (just be sure to slip the stash of 16!?! into his pack before you head out)

All kidding aside, I'm sure these have improved since the time I used them; but so have trash bags. I don't think either would survive 8 crossings. Both should be considered disposable. I'm with Swede: an old pair of tennis shoes would be great. Better yet, a pair of flip flops which would dry quickly or maybe even spring for a pair of crocs - they'd dry quickly and be fairly comfortable for giving your feet a break from boots around camp. They'd be less pack weight than those waders too.

All great ideas!!!!

( I was going to add go in early,.. and build bridges.
When I was 12 years old my dad dropped a tree across a small river to hunt a neat little secluded place near Hinkley Mn. Im sure there has to be a law against it now.

If your packing in that much gear you will want to stop and rest,,..We use to portage when fishing the BWCA in northern Mn. Old sturdy tennis shoes with that many crossings
Can you pack in some of your gear earlier in the season? go in set up the location for camp,.. cut too much firewood set up a ridge , bear and meat pole(or store them just off the ground) and haul the saw and ax back out. Dont be afraid to take items in and cache them before season

Wouldn't that be nice! Unfortunately I am 31 hours away, which makes that impossible.

[Swede]

- cajoling Swede into carrying you across in trade for a snickers bar (just be sure to slip the stash of 16!?! into his pack before you head out)

ALERT! NOTICE!
If you are going to cajole Swede into carrying you; his bait of choice is licorice and can be a push over for the fresh soft variety. Swede's wife is the Snickers type, but she rarely will show up at the best elk camp on the market.

I've used waders similar to those before. My advice:don't. You might be able improve them by punching a bunch of holes in the bottom to let the water back out after you've crossed

I have had boots like those described by Cohunter. My advise is still go with the tennis shoes until you are done crossing the stream.

[>>>---WW---->]

Bolt: Just how deep are the streams you are talking about? When the weather gets real nasty, rainy, muddy, and the streams rise a bit, I break out my Mucks. They are light weight, have good traction, and feel like a pair of house slippers. They come up to just below the knee and I have no problem wearing them all day.

[Swede]

. I am told water is just above the knee in most spots. This year my hunting partner and I have selected an area that we will have several creek crossings (8 I am told).

I understood this to mean you need to cross the creek 8 times rather than having a choice of 8 crossings. That makes a difference. If you have a choice of 8 crossings, you can select one and probably use crocs for that. If you are hiking up or down stream, and need to cross back and forth 8 times, that is a different matter.

[Bolt]

Bolt: Just how deep are the streams you are talking about? When the weather gets real nasty, rainy, muddy, and the streams rise a bit, I break out my Mucks. They are light weight, have good traction, and feel like a pair of house slippers. They come up to just below the knee and I have no problem wearing them all day.

I know it is crossable but just how deep at all crossings I do not. I am told it will be above knee.

[CurlyTail]

Found another option - Wiggy's waders

http://www.rokslide.com/gear/footwear/207-wiggys-waders

These look just like my 15.00 pair of Hodgmans, but cost 70.00. I would hope they are a bit sturdier. I will try these if my Hodgmans fail after a couple of uses.

[CurlyTail]

My problem with Crocs or tennis shoes is time. It can take almost 15 minutes to take off my gaiters, boots, and socks. Put on the Crocs and wade the river. Dry off my feet. Pulling on socks over damp feet is laborious. Then lacing up my boots and wrestling into my hiking gaiters. No big deal mid day, but first thing in the morning, in the cold and dark - not my favorite.

I figure with over-waders, I can get it done in less than 5 minutes.

But if the over - waders fail and leak - wet boots for 3 hours. I wouldn't like that either.

[Bolt]

Well I have made up my mind that I am going to go with Crocs, I am going to put studs in the bottom so that I don't slip on slick rocks in the creek and dunk my pack. I figure it may add 45 minutes to the hike but it will offer a time to rest and maybe glass for a few minutes while drying my feet, never know plans may change if we spot elk on the way in.
Regardless this is only the way in and out, my days hunting I will be on one side of the creek unless we have to move. I have someone that is going to bring horses if we down elk so it shouldn't be multiple trips. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[CurlyTail]

Crocs are not particularly slippery on stream rocks. I don't think you will need any studs. They will work just great, but add 60-90 min. to your expected hike time with 8 stream crossings.

[Ridge Ghost]

Wiggy's Waders are what you want. Lightweight and packable, easy on and off. They aren't super durable, so you won't want to spend all day in them fishing, etc. But for a quick creek crossing they work great.

[Z Barebow]

I have Wiggy's also. They will get holes, but I am not standing in a stream flyfishing with them.