Klamath
09. Sarah Totten Campground to Happy Camp
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 35.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Klamath R Nr Seiad Valley Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 57 minutes | 1920 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | October 31, 2024 |
Projects
A series of four dams on the Klamath River (originally licensed as FERC P-2082 and then as FERC P-14803) operated by PacifiCorp devastated salmon populations on what was one of the nation’s most productive salmon rivers. These dams produced very little power, relative to their environmental impacts, and were [...]Read More
River Description
The river is roadside with a number of access points but many groups make an overnight trip out of it too as the river passes through the Klamath National Forest with occassional residential development.
Sarah Totten to Portugeuse Creek (14.5 miles, class I-II(III))
This segment is known as a float trip enjoyed by those salmon and steelhead fishing in the fall. It's a pleasant float with the exception of Hamburg Falls immediately below the put-in but alternate access points allow you to select the segment that provides what you are looking for.
Portugeuse Creek to Seattle Creek (5.7 miles, class III)
For whitewater boaters the highlight of this run is the class III segment that begins less than two miles downstream of Portugeuse Creek that includes Upper Savage, Otter's Crib, Otter's Playpen, and Fort Goff Falls that are all packed into a mile and a half segement. Another class II follows a couple more miles after that and then the river transitions to a class I float for the dozen miles down to Happy Camp.
Seattle Creek to Happy Camp (15 miles class I)
This section is a mellow float where the river is higher up from the river and more distant from the highway making it a segment that is enjoyed by canoeists looking for an overnight trip. A couple of intermediate access points can be used to shortern this segment.
Additional Information
Klamath National Forest Klamath Wild and Scenic River website with link to Google Earth map of rapids, access points, and campsites < https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/klamath/recarea/?recid=13066 >
River Features
Sarah Totten Campground Put-In
Access is avaialable in the Sarah Totten Campground.
Hamburg Falls
An island divides the river here with most of the river flowing to the right. The preferred line varies with flow.
Old Country Store Access
Informal access point on river left.
O'Neil Creek Rapid
Rapid formed by the outwash from O'Neil Creek that comes in from river left. The Forest Service manages a campground at O'Neil Creek on the other side of the highway from the river.
Rocky Point Access
Rocky Point River Access is administered by the Forest Service. It has a gravel ramp to the water's edge but parking here is limited. An information board provides current information on campfire permits and fire restrictions for the area. Interpretive signs are installed and the Forest Service provides a portable toilet here in summer months. This access site is a short distance downstream of ONeil Creek Campground that is located on the other side of the highway from the river and does not have good river access.
Granite Point Rapid
Rapid encountered where the river bends around to the left.
Sluice Box (aka Grider) Rapid
A midstream island divides the flow. The standard line is down the right channel on the left side.
Sluice Box Rapid
Sluice Box (aka Grider) Access
Administered by the Forest Service, this is a popular put-in area for the class 3 float to Seattle Creek River Access. In addition, this area of the river is known for great bird watching and the spotting of occasional river otters. A river map and an interpretive panel is provided at this access along with an information board providing current info on campfire permits and fire restrictions for the area. The Forest Service maintains a portable toilet during the summer months. The road to the water's edge is graded gravel. A large parking area is available with some limited space for dispersed camping.
Portuguese Creek Rapid
Portuguese Creek River Access
This access is located at Highway 96 mile 56.7. There are no amenities at the site that is managed by the Forest Service. A moderate amount of parking is available, though the actual river access is narrow and can only accommodate one vehicle at a time for loading or unloading. Alternatively, it’s a short carry down to the river from where you park near the top. The Ft. Goff Campground is less than 1 mile downstream on Hwy 96. It has 5 walk-in campsites, a vault toilet, tables and fireplaces.
Upper Savage Rapid
Rocks and ledges form this rapid which has different routes depending on flows. You can easily see it from the highway.
Lower Savage Rapid
A smaller but not insignficant drop that comes up between the class III drops.
Otter's Playpen
Large rock outcrops in the river channel result in multiple routes depending on flows and the boatman's skill. A common line during moderate flows is to start right and then move back towards the center.
Fort Goff Falls
A rapid within a mini gorge between bedrock walls.
Rapid
After this rapid the whitewater tapers off and it becomes a class I float down to Happy Camp.
Seattle Creek River Access
This access is located at Highway 96 mile 51.0. There are no amenities at this site managed by the Forest Service. Parking is available on a bench above the river, requiring a short walk down. At river level, there is a good staging area, though it can only accommodate one vehicle at a time for loading or unloading.
Joe Miles Rapid
China Point River Access
This access is located at Highway 96 mile 47.5. The road to China Point has been closed for several years due to recurring landslides and unstable conditions. The lack of road access to this site makes it a nice campsite for overnight river trips. The middle of the gravel bar is privately owned, though the upstream and downstream ends on river right are managed by the Forest Service.
Gordons Ferry River Access
This access is located at Highway 96 mile 44.3 where you turn on to Gordons Ferry Road. Gordons Ferry Road leads 1.9 miles down to the river, beginning as paved and transitioning to gravel after about 1.5 miles. The final 0.4 miles descend a series of switchbacks to river level. There is limited parking and a small staging area at the bottom. No amenities are present at this site managed by the Forest Service site.
Happy Camp Take-Out
This access is located at Highway 96 mile 41.0. Located on river right just below the confluence with Indian Creek, the site includes a vault toilet and offers good parking on a bench slightly above river level. A large gravel bar provides ample room for staging. This is a Forest Service-managed site and a convenient launch or takeout in Happy Camp.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe trip from Portugeuse Creek to Seattle Creek is a great class III half day trip. We enjoyed it during a warm sunny day in July.
We were on a trip headed downstream of Happy Camp but stopped at Sarah Totten Campground to check out the boat ramp and captured some photos of the access at Happy Camp.
I've paddled a couple of sections between Sarah Totten and Happy Camp;
Blue Heron (just above Sarah Totten) to O'Neil Creek and
Portugese Creek to China Point
Neither of these runs have much in the way of whitewater but make pleasant floats/fishing trips in fall when the salmon and steelhead are in the river. Each run does contain at least one class 3 rapid so keep that in mind. On the lower section just below mile post 55 and 'Savage Rapids' is the bronco wave (AKA Marquis) this is a good surf wave and it's in when the Klamath River @ Seiad Valley gauge reads 1,300 to 1,600 cfs. I think 1,500 is best. The most reliable times of year to catch Bronco is in late June to early July and October when flows out of Iron Gate rise but before the fall rains swell the side creeks.