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 49 minutes | 310 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 8, 2024 |
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
...Put in at the first bridge over the Middle Fork Smith on Knopki Creek Road (18N07).
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.
