Klamath

Ryan Allred, Kyle Allred and I kayaked the full 16 miles as described in previous reports through the former Copco and Iron Gate reservoir beds, and the beautiful K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon / Wards Canyon in between at 2100 CFS at the Iron Gate gauge.  Prior descriptions were extremely helpful but wanted to add that at double the water of those descriptions I would say that everything was significantly more sporting.  I would compare it to the classic Upper K run at somewhere closer to 2 guns than 1. In particular rapids 3 and 4 were definitely one rapid with several holes with raft flipping potential, primarily on the left.  And the final rapid, K’íka·c’é·ki Falls, I would rate class 5 at this level.  The hole at the bottom spanned most of the river and wasn't forgiving middle or right.  Definitely punchable far left, but would require a strong right to left ferry above through some strong currents.  We chose to portage given the air and water temperature and our off-the-couch status.