Payette, N. Fork,
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4. Smiths Ferry to Banks
Class V
16 Miles
Avg Gradient 110 fpm
Max Gradient 200 fpm
Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's LadderPhoto of Stephen Strange by Bittu Ali taken June 2002 @ 1600
Gauge Information
River Description
This section of the North Fork of the Payette is the 16 miles above Banks and is considered
big-water Class V. The entire run is parallel to Highway 55. It is usually refered to in three
segments: the Top 5, Middle 5, and Lower 5. The Lower 5 is the most frequently paddled. The Lower 5
rapids are more straightforward than those upstream and the run makes a great afterwork Class-V fix
or those looking for a warmup to the upper stretches. From top to bottom the river drops 1700 feet.
In 1987 Bob McDougal did three runs in a day to kayak a vertical mile.
The standard put-in for the top of the run is just South of Mile Marker 95.
Classic
AW Journal article on the North Fork, circa 1991.
Parts of the Bottom 5 were first paddled in 1975.
The distances in the rapid summary are approximations. If you have more detailed info, leave it in
the comments section or please email the regional streamkeeper.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2005-06-15 06:08:32
Editors
User Comments
dangerous than Crunch--as stated by the last commenter, many people underestimate Juicer. I've seen
paddlers pin, swim, and or get hurt in Juicer, in various orders. Don't let the rating here fool
you if you're a first timer on the NF. If you want to rate Juicer IV+ go for it, but call
Disneyland, S-turn, Crunch and others the same.
If you're a first timer up top, be careful. It's a definite step up from the bottom.
Otherwise the NF is pretty much the best action within a thousand miles Mid-July through the end of
August. Come from far away and enjoy, but use a good spray skirt and don't flip over.
Forum: BoaterTalk
Date: Aug 21 2003, 19:04 GMT
From: middleschooler
The Lower 5 is running 1500 right now. This is actually, a pretty good introductory level.....a
little high perhaps if you're more comfortable dealing with rocks than push. Nonetheless, not bad
and it'll give you a good feel for "The NF".
"IV+ or V"?
That depends with whom you talk to. Most of the locals I know who paddle it regularly say 4+ (and
I'm talking about the current level of 1500). On the other hand, it seems most out of area boaters,
or the uninitiated, more often than not refer to it as class 5. Regardless of what class people
call it, you have to remember that the NF is a fairly unique river with a different feel. It is not
pool drop and the eddies for the most part are along the banks, not in the center. Also, the
recovery pools are more or less non-existent below the named rapids and the water deflecting off
the sharp blasted rocks on both banks create sort of a chaotic feel. In other words, the waves
don't roll but are rather erratic giving you the feeling of getting slapped from all directions.
The river is also choke full of holes. Most will just splash you.... if you hit them straight on.
Others will gladly play with you if you're not on the stick.
The beauty of the NF is that it's all roadside and you can easliy get out any time you're not
comfy. Generally, newer paddlers working up the ladder do what is referred to as "The Warm-up", a
~2 mile piece between the first drop (Houndstooth) & the top of Otters. It is a fun run in
itself and comparitively speaking, easy.
"Big water"?
CFS wise, obviously not but it does have a bit of big water feel to it.
"Runable next weekend"?
Yes. And the NF typically runs until the first part of Oct though it will be running a tad low
then.....approx 800-900.
"Not-so-obvious hazards"?
Yes. There is a pin rock in Juicer roughly 115 yards from the top near the right bank. There is a
funky V shaped hole sorta thing about 10 yards above that tends to kick people into the rock. It is
not obvious from bank scouting how this feature will kick you and unless you know where to look for
the rock, it isn't real obvious either. I believe 1300 to 1500 is probably the worst level for it
too. So, if you don't go with some one that knows the run, I'd suggest staying away from the right
which also happens to be the most obvious line. Actually, the right was always the standard line
but I believe the rock either shifted or the shorter boats that are now being used up there are
more susceptible to being pushed that way. Prior to around 96, I hadn't heard of anyone pinning
there. Anyhow, take that rock seriously. It has pinned multiple paddlers 4 of which I have
witnessed. There is an undercut finger of sorts which happens to fit perfectly in the kayakers lap
preventing escape.
Which weekend were you thinking? I doubt I'll leave the house this coming weekend but likely next
weekend. If you'd be interested, I'd be more than happy to paddle with you on the Staircase run and
if I thought you were up for the Lower 5, take you down that (hope that doesn't offend...I just
don't know your level of paddling:-)).
planner@northrim.net
data. Here's the link.
http://www.idahopower.com/riversrec/waterlevels/streamflow/showgraph.cfm?id=976796