Klamath,

C. JC Boyle Powerhouse to Copco Reservoir (Hell's Corner)

JC Boyle Powerhouse

JC Boyle Powerhouse
Photo by Justin Wellman

Gauge Information

River Description

Other Resources
BLM Lakeview

Location
The Upper Klamath flows from Upper Klamath Lake in Southern Oregon to Copco Lake in Northern California. The Hell's Corner section starts at JC Boyle Powerhouse and ends at Copco Lake. The powerhouse is located about 30 miles from Klamath Falls and 50 miles from Ashland.

River Description
The Upper Klamath flows through a secluded canyon with gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife, and a lot of whitewater. The first 5 miles are relatively easy with class II and III rapids for warm up. The 7 miles that follow are known as Hell's Corner Gorge! The rapids are more frequent and they are long. Many people refer to the Upper Klamath as continuous in nature however; it is a pool drop river. The difficulty increases due to the length of the rapids, the numerous 90 degree blind corners and the brown water that the rocks are camouflaged by.

The rocks create the majority of the hazards mainly pins and nasty swims. At high water these hazard lessen however the Upper Klamath doesn't wash out it just gets bigger, and develops a mean push over 3000 cfs.

On the fun side the Klamath offers some play on the fly, 6-8 foot haystack waves, and 3-4 foot pile on friendly holes!

Access
The Upper Klamath is a remote river and has little access.

Spring Island Launch is the main put-in about 1/4 mile below the powerhouse. There is a trip registration box, pit toilets, gauge, and a practice eddy. Overnight camping at the Spring Island Launch is prohibited. Campers should stay at Topsy Campground located along Boyle Reservoir just upstream. For those that wish a back woods camping experience a rough 3 mile drive past Spring Island put-in down the jeep road along the river leads to the BLM camps. Outhouse toilets and fire pits are available.

Frain Ranch is an alternative put-in that shortens the trip by about 5 miles. Frain Ranch is a great place to camp however there are no facilities. There use to be a composting toilet that BLM had to close due to vandalism. Most campsites have approved fire rings. Know the fire regulations before you build a fire. There are 2 main places where boaters put in at Frain. Where ever you put in you are about 10 minutes above Caldera Rapid.

Stateline Access is the first takeout after the gorge and is a popular place to take out for those that put in at Frain Ranch. There is camping and during the summer a port-o-potty.

Fishing Access #6 is not a public raft takeout. Some commercial companies have special permits for take out use. Use another appropriate take out.

Access #1 is located at the beginning of Copco Lake and is the primary take-out for most boaters. There is no camping at Access #1 there is a port-o-potty. This take out can get congested please have your shuttle driver only back up to the landing when your party arrives.

Shuttles
There are few shuttle services for the Upper Klamath. For trips starting at Spring Island and ending at Stateline or #1 a shuttle driver is recommended. Try calling 1-866-467-2386 (Go-Raft-N) if you are looking for a shuttle service. From Spring Island to either of the take-outs the shuttle is approximately 100 miles. Please refer to the shuttle map to plan your trip.

History
The Klamath Canyon is rich with Wild West history. The main stage coach route from Yreka to Klamath Falls traveled up the south side of the canyon which is now the Topsy Grade. Along the road are small history markers that tell the tails of the ranchers and stage coach robberies.

The primary industry used to be logging the large ponderosa pine. After cutting the trees loggers would slide them down a long chute to the river where they could be floated down stream to the mill. The remains of the Pokegama log chute can still be seen by those with a keen eye.

By visiting the Frain Ranch all sorts of historic relics can be found that tell the tail of the hardships and rewards Martin Frain must have gone through while he was homesteading the area.

Current Politics
The water rights issues of the Upper Klamath are complicated and seemingly endless. Water is needed both upstream and downstream in a basin that is currently in a drought.