Henrys Fork - Hatchery Ford to above Upper Mesa Falls


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Hatchery Ford to above Upper Mesa Falls (Sheep Falls Run)

Usual Difficulty II-V (may vary with level)
Length 6.88 Miles
Avg. Gradient 44 fpm

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
HENRYS FORK NR ASHTON ID
usgs-13046000 1000 - 3000 cfs II-V 00h54m 884 cfs (rc= -0.1 )


River Description

See G. Amaral, Idaho: the Whitewater State (Watershed, 1992).
Lat / Longitude data are very approximate.

This run is a beautiful canyon consisting of mellow class II-III whitewater and three class V drops. The old Idaho guide book describes this as a scenic run with three portages. Other people think of it as a fun run with three good rapids and some flat water. Either way it’s beautiful and worth the effort. Also, generally runs all season.


StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2008-05-07 14:30:14

Undine Falls

Detail Trip Report Edit  Undine Falls  Henrys Fork, ID(103.25KB .jpeg)

Third Drop

Detail Trip Report Edit  Third Drop  Henrys Fork, ID(172.54KB .jpeg)

Upper Mesa Falls

Detail Trip Report Edit  Upper Mesa Falls  Henrys Fork, ID(77.79KB .jpeg)

Second Drop

Detail Trip Report Edit  Second Drop  Henrys Fork, ID(123.13KB .jpeg)

Sheep Falls

Detail Trip Report Edit  Sheep Falls  Henrys Fork, ID(106.50KB .jpeg)


Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

Low: Less than 1,700 cfs
Med: 1,800 - 2,400 cfs
High: 2,500 cfs and up


Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
HENRYS FORK NR ASHTON ID
usgs-13046000 1000 - 3000 cfs II-V 00h54m 884 cfs (rc= -0.1 )

RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
1000 -3000 cfs barely runnable-high runnable II-V

Report - Reports of Henrys Fork Hatchery Ford to above Upper Mesa Falls and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
Henrys ForkHatchery Ford to above Upper Mesa Falls [ID] Account of 07/04/09 n/a n/a
Henrys Fork [ID] Second Drop 1900 Sarah Kemper
4y130d18h07m Henrys Fork [ID] Sheep Falls 1900cfs Sarah Kemper

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Idaho the Whitewater State
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User Comments
2005-11-10 22:02:09 (1472 days ago)
Sarah KemperDetails
The Ashton gage is the ACCEPTED gage for this run. There is not a "correct" gage. The Island Park
gage does not include the flow from the Buffalo Fork (which is often larger than the Henrys Fork
itself at Island Park). Theoretically, the flow from the Island Park gage could be added to the
flow from the Buffalo Fork. The problem is that the gage on the Buffalo Fork is above the
confluence with Lava Creek. Lava Creek does not have a gage, but guessing by the picture above, it
might be significant. The problem with the Ashton gage is that it also includes the flow from the
Warm River.
2005-10-06 13:32:13 (1507 days ago)
andy waltersDetails
The wrong gauge is listed for this run. The correct gauge in the one located near Island Park .
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Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0Getting ThereTakeout Hazard Waterfall Photo
0.0Put-InPutin Photo
2.7Drop No. 1: Sheep Falls5.0Waterfall Photo
2.8Drop No. 2:5.0Photo
5.0Drop No. 3:5.1Hazard Photo
6.3The Ledge HoleIV
6.9Take-OutTakeout Hazard Waterfall

Rapid Descriptions

Getting There

Upper Mesa Falls

Upper Mesa Falls
Photo @ 1900

Take Mesa Falls Scenic Byway (Idaho 47) from Ashton, ID. Continue past the Lower Mesa Overlook and turn into the Upper Mesa parking area. This is the takeout, note it is a fee area. Unless someone in your group has run this stretch you should take the time to stroll down the boardwalk and scout the takeout. Potentially the most dangerous part of the run, this is not a takeout you want to miss. You will want to float onto the shelf of Upper Mesa, eddy out river left, and step out of your boat onto the boardwalk.

Put-In

Put-in

Put-in

To get to the put-in continue towards Island Park. Turn left when you see a sign for Hatchery Ford. Follow this dirt road down to the river. You’ll know you’re in the right place by a sign warning of dangerous falls downstream and that boating is not recommended.

Drop No. 1: Sheep Falls (Class 5.0, Mile 2.7)

Sheep Falls

Sheep Falls
Photo of Ryan by BradyJ taken Late summer 2005 @ 1900cfs

Sheep Falls is located on a sweeping left turn. Noticeable by a significant horizon line and a hint of spray. Eddie out river right to scout and/or portage. Both the two-tiered part of the drop on the left or the slide on center right are runnable.



Drop No. 2: (Class 5.0, Mile 2.8)

Second Drop

Second Drop
Photo of SK by BradyJ @ 1900

This rapid is immediately after Sheep Falls. Easiest to scout both while you�re out of your boat, or if you�re portaging�just keep walking. This drop is as intimidating as it is safe. Take note of the two small entrance holes � they�re bigger than they look from the bank. Otherwise, straight down the tongue, baby! Huge, flat pool at the bottom, minimal consequences. Under 1600cfs this drop gets very sticky and isn�t usually run. Over 2500cfs it only gets better! When portaging there are two possibilities for re-entering the river. The best is to slide off a rock at water level into the current right below the meat of the drop. People have seal-launched the high rock, but you run the risk of breaking your boat on the underwater rocks. If you don�t like the look of this: hope you�re wearing long pants. You will be hiking for a while, navigating a steep embankment, and wading through waist-high stinging nettle.



Drop No. 3: (Class 5.1, Mile 5.0)

Third Drop

Third Drop
Photo of SK by BradyJ @ 1900

Look for another horizon line on a left curve. Scout on river left; portage from either side, but easier on the right. There is a guide rock on the lip of the center-left of the drop. Boof just to the left of the rock and head right to avoid a hole. Note: If the guide rock is underwater, BEWARE. The left wall is undercut and at this level water is pushing into it. Unlike Drop No. 2, this rapid is not overly intimidating, but has potentially high consequences in high water.

The Ledge Hole (Class IV, Mile 6.3)

This drop is a river-wide, sticky, ledge hole. It can be run anywhere if you have a good relationship with your boof stroke. Otherwise, run left � you can see the drop from the river left eddy. This hole has been known to re-circulate swimmers and empty boats.



Take-Out

Class I if you make it, class VI if you miss. Don�t float over Upper Mesa Falls! Exit river left and smile at the tourists.





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