Salmon

The Butler Creek River Access is alongside Salmon River Road, about 7.5 miles upriver from Highway 96 at Somes Bar between the 7 and 8-mile markers. There is a long pullout on the river side of the road for parking and loading, a picnic table, a dilapidated information board. A restroom is on the opposite side of the road on the other side of the bridge over Butler Creek. A double track trail goes from the parking area to a pool at the mouth of Butler Creek. Depending upon river flows, you may be able to paddle in/out of this pool to reach the river or you may need to carry your boat over the boulder bar.

Please note that there are multiple private residences across the road from this river access, so be polite and not too loud.

This is also the take-out for the upstream Nordheimer Run (IV/V).

The Butler Run starts right away with no warm-up. You'll paddle right into Butler Ledge from the put-in pool. A bit of a misnomer this is not a classic ledge-style rapid but rather a long rapid over a boulder bar with one plunge over some large boulders that makes that feature reminiscent of a ledge. The rapid continues past a large, picturesque white boulder before a brief pool separates it from the next rapid below.

There's a great surf wave at the white boulder (1200-1500 cfs is optimal) and a second good wave at the pool at the bottom (2000-2500 cfs is optimal). Usually both waves are not in at the same flow.

At lower flows, a large boulder splits the river in half; either side is fine. At medium to high flows this boulder forms a hole that can become quite large. This is the first part of Double Drop.

Seamlessly, the rapid continues through waves and some additional holes before ending in a long pool that provides a break in the action.

Also known as The Fin or Eeling Rock, this short rapid drops over a steep boulder bar for the left 3/4 of the river and into a rocky flume to the right of a fin (at low flows) for the right 1/4. Most boaters choose a line over the boulder bar but some opt for the extra excitement of the flume. Either way, the current then plows straight on toward a large rock wall and you'll need to make a move to the left. There's a fun surf wave here that can be accessed from the river left eddy at the bottom or the pocket eddy at the base of the rock wall on the right.

Native Americans use the natural flume on the far right to trap lamprey, or eels, when the river is low.

A long rapid that begins with a distinct granite ledge drop, then continues for the next 1/5 mile over a series of smaller drops.

The top ledge drop can either be fun to run on the left, or a complete nightmare. It depends partly on flow and partly on your preferences. At lower flows (under 1500 cfs), left is a straighforward boof over a ledge with a decent hole at the bottom. At medium and high flows, the hole becomes huge. At all flows, there is a break in the ledge to the right of center.

After the ledge, the rapid goes over a series of smaller drops and continues for 1/5 mile until ending with one final river-wide hole as it enters a long pool beneath granite walls.

Run on the right or, at higher flows, boof the granite lip.

Fun eddy to launch into on the right and a decent surf wave.

This long rapid is usually run on the left or center of left. Beware of a large hole that lurks midway, hidden by a mound of water that invites boaters to seek air. Depending upon flow, there can be a fun surf hole at the bottom. The 80s-era name for this rapid was Highway Rapid.

Inga's is an unofficial river access along Salmon River Road at Duncan Creek, between the 5 and 6-mile markers. Look for the very large pullout.

This access is used primarily by boaters wishing to lap the action-packed top mile of the Butler Run or, sometimes, by boaters coming down from the Nordheimer Run who wish to add another mile of prime whitewater to their day (but why not go all the way down the Butler Run?). Inga's is named for the woman who lived at a riverfront home that is no longer here.

Another rapid with no official name, this one is easily identifiable by its prominent whirlpool feature at the bottom. At lower flows this makes an exciting mystery move spot for squirt boats and at medium flows will toss about any half slice boat. This is the first rapid downstream of Duncan Creek or Inga's.

Neamded for a now-defunct mining claim, Spiderman 1 has a series of rocks, waves, and holes plus a large boulder on the left that the less-than-timid can launch and, at lower flows, a fast and rowdy surf wave at the bottom. A short pool separates this rapid from Spiderman 2.

Spiderman 2 kicks off with a big wave that kayakers can use to get completely airborne at low to medium flows. The river then narrows and flow is concentrated down the center, with submerged rocks and big hits guarding the sides. The rapid ends in a giant pool with granite cliffs on the left. Find the metal hardware bolted in the rock and give it a spin for good luck (flow must be below 2,500 cfs for this).

With bedrock walls lining both banks, the river gains speed as it heads to a short but steep drop at the end of this rapid. Numerous eddies line the rock wall banks, making this a slalom course for those who want it. One of the best surf waves on the river it at the bottom where the river narrows down (optimal at 1100-2200 cfs). Be sure to catch the eddy on the right in the fast runout from the steep drop to access this wave.

True to its name, this is a very narrow spot on the Salmon River. Depending upon flow, it may or may not be the narrowest spot (other contenders are Bloomer Falls, the Angel Wings at the bottom of Freight Train, and the pinch at the bottom of Black Horn). A set of beautiful boulders and bedrock walls set up a fun course for pivot turns, screw ups, and splats.

Black Horn is a long rapid in a deep, inaccessible part of the canyon. Starting easy with a fun on-the-fly surf wave at the top, the rapid builds into a series of wave trains and holes before its final push through a one of the narrowest spots on the river. The rapid ends in the long pool that's just above Marble Rapid (Gaping Maw).

The river drops over a congested boulder pile before leveling off with most of the flow along river left. After a brief pause, waves continue for a ways downstream and there's a good eddy accessible wave on the left. The pool at the bottom is deep and there's a great exhibit of the granite-host rock geologic contact on the river left cliff wall.

A beautiful and long rapid, Marble Rapid (aka Gaping Maw) is also a must-run rapid. Soaring vertical walls line each side of the river, making a full portage impossible. Fortunately, the rapid is runnable at all flows and can be scouted from the top.

The classic line is down the right through the main part of the rapid. This route is rocky at lower flows, although high water in November 2024 appears to have cleaned up the right line a fair bit. The left line is overall sportier and requires more maneuvering and engagement with some fun reactionary currents off the left wall. A multitude of variations on lines can also be run, particularly at low to low-medium flows when there are numerous eddies and connecting currents.

The namesake Maw is no longer gaping. This was once a large hole in the center near the bottom. There's still a hole here at certain flows, but it is easily avoided and is no longer the beast it once was. This change in the rapid is a great reason the return to its original and more poetic name, Marble. Look for the distinct white marble boulder on river left in the pool before the entrance to the rapid.

This is the first rapid after Marble (Gaping Maw) and is separated from it by a long, calm pool. The river bends sharply to the right at the entry to Fords, which is a rock-clogged rapid at low flows and a disorganized wave train at higher flows.

There is also a double-track path uphill to Salmon River Road here, providing one of the only opportunities to reasonably exit the Butler Run between Inga's and Brannons Bar. The double-track path joins the paved road at the five-mile marker; look for a closed green gate (locals call this spot Green Gate, Fords, or Grubstake).

At flows below about 1500 cfs, this rapid has a sticky hole at the bottom wedged between the river left eddy and the rock wall on river right. It's easy enough to avoid by driving left, but if you get stuck in the hole, be prepared for a ride. At medium to high flows, this rapid is straightforward and the hole at the bottom disappears.

The name Dick's Overhang refers to kayak legend and surf ski wizard, Dick Wold, who must've taken a memorable ride in the hole back in the day.

Combination of a boulder and bedrock-controlled rapid. There's a fun launch into the river left eddy off a ledge but the rapid can be run on other lines too. The old-time rafters' name for this rapid is Wooley One.

Long, straightforward rapid with a view of the green arch Steinacher Bridge. There's an optical illusion that makes it appear as if the Salmon River flows straight ahead and uphill after the bridge, but you're really looking at Wooley Creek flowing into the Salmon. The same illusion occurs in reverse for paddlers coming down Wooley.

The first rapid below the Wooley Creek confluence has a sizable pillow coming off the river right rock bank.

The Brannons Bar River Access is off Salmon River Road, about 3.75 miles upriver of Highway 96 at Somes Bar. The dirt road down to the loading/unloading zone at the river access is signed. This area is posted No Parking, so after loading or unloading, drive back up the dirt road and diagonally across Salmon River Road to the large parking area by the restroom.

Please be aware that this river access is also used by local residents, including tribal members and elders. Please be respectful and prepared to share the area with others.

Also, when leaving the loading/unloading area to head upriver, DO NOT try to make the hard right turn on to Salmon River Road. The turn is too tight and you will have to drive into the land for oncoming traffic to make the turn. There is a blind curve here and downrive vehicles tend to go fast. Instead, turn left and head diagnally across the road to the large parking area/turnaround and then pull out on to Salmon River Road to head upriver. For real!