Smith, Middle Fork
Knopki Creek Road Bridge to Siskiyou Gorge(Knopki Gorge)
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 7.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 67 fpm |
| Gauge | Smith R Nr Crescent City Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 776 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 8, 2024 |
River Description
A lesser-run section of the Middle Fork Smith River, the Knopki Gorge Run requires higher flows as the smallish river moves through a series of tight microgorges high in the river system.
DIFFICULTY
The first third of the run, before multiple confluences increase flow, is Class II with brush hazards with the notable exception of one four-foot bedrock ledge that is Class III+. In the middle of the run the gorge is Class III+ at lower flows (around 4,000 cfs on the Jed Smith gage) and solid Class IV at moderate flows (10,000 cfs) and includes about ten fun rapids, some of which are very narrow bedrock drops with holes at the bottom. The Class IV rating includes the wood hazard potential, which is always changing storm-to-storm. After the last Class IV rapid, the character is mellow Class II with a few Class III chanels that require careful work to stay out of alders and willows or off rocks. This is generally considered an advanced intermediate difficulty level run.
FLOW
The USGS Smith R NR Crescent City CA (11532500) gage is far downstream of this run and includes the flow from all forks of the Smith River. Flow on the Knopki Gorge Run is generally approximately 10-20% of the flow at the gage (not considering time difference between flow in the gorge and when it arrives at the gage). Use the USGS gage as a reference, but recognize that flows on this run may be significantly departed from what the gage suggests that they may be.
That said, 6,000 cfs is a good base flow for IKs, packrafts, and kayaks. For small rafts, 10,000 cfs is a moderate flow.
PUT-IN
Put in at the first bridge you encounter up the Knopki Creek Road (Forest Road 18N07) of off Highway 199 near its 30.1 mile post (seven road miles from the take-out). There is a second bridge further up, but putting in there only adds brushy shallow mank. Above the second bridge is Middle Fork Falls.
TAKE-OUT
The furthest possible downstream take out for this ru
...River Features
18N07 Bridge
Put in at the first bridge over the Middle Fork Smith on Knopki Creek Road (18N07).
Hwy 199 Pull-out
Take out at the large pullout on Highway 199 with a callbox, near the 23.1 mile post (1.2 road miles upstream of the Patrick Creek Lodge). Do not continue past this point onthe river unless you want to run the Siskiyou Gorge, which begins immediately with a large rapid. Scout the unmarked take-out from the river before boating so you don't miss it.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportDIFFICULTY The first third before multiple confluences increase flow is class one and two with brush hazard with the notable exception of one 4 foot bedrock ledge, class 3+. In the middle of the run the gorge is easy class IV at lower flows and solid class IV at moderate flows and includes maybe 10 fun rapids that are worth doing, some of which are very narrow bedrock drops with holes at the bottom. The IV rating includes the wood hazard potential, which is always changing storm to storm. After the last class IV rapid, the character is mellow class II with a few class III chanels that require careful work to stay out of Alders and willows or off rocks.
FLOW The Jed Smith gage is significantly far downstream, but above 6k is a good base flow for IK trips. I have also done this run at 10k in a small raft and would reccomend 10,000 as a moderate flow.
PUT IN Turn at Knopki Cr Road, Forest Road 18N07. Park at the first bridge and put in. There is a second bridge further up, but putting in there only adds brushy shallow no fun mank. Above the second bridge is Middle Fork Falls.
TAKE OUT For a full day take out at 199 mile post 23.5, but do not continue downstream unless you want to run class V Siskiyou Gorge on the Middle Fork Smith.
CHARACTER Remote feel but pretty roadside along hwy 199.
SCENERY is a 8 out of 10, coastal rainforest, moss, dripping waterfalls and steelhead pooling in aerated confluence pools.
MILES 8 or 9.
PORTAGES Typically expect up to three portages for wood, or more if you are not comfotable with log ducks or scooting over branches. On this trip, I had zero portages in an IK, but everyone else in the group had at least one. I did run over/ under wood in play. Each of the three major wood hazards are pictured here, these are the ones that are expected to last multiple years.
SEASON winter after a rainstorm.
SHUTTLE along hwy 199, between roughyl mile post 23.5 and mile post 30 turnoff. Gravel road to put in for a mile or two, in good condition.
GAGE Smith near Crescent City (Jed Smith Gage)