Henrys Fork

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.

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 wi’ll know you a’re in the right place by a sign warning of dangerous falls downstream and that boating is not recommended.

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.

This rapid is immediately after Sheep Falls. Easiest to scout both while you are out of your boat, or if you are portaging, just keep walking. This drop is as intimidating as it is safe. Take note of the two small entrance holes.  They are 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 is not 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 do not like the look of this: hope you are wearing long pants. You will be hiking for a while, navigating a steep embankment, and wading through waist-high stinging nettle.

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.

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.

Class I if you make it, class VI if you miss. Do not float over Upper Mesa Falls! Exit river left onto the boardwalk and smile at the tourists.