Smith, Middle Fork

DIFFICULTY The first third before multiple confluences increase flow is class one and two with brush hazard with the notable exception of one 4 foot bedrock ledge, class 3+. In the middle of the run the gorge is easy class IV at lower flows and solid class IV at moderate flows and includes maybe 10 fun rapids that are worth doing, some of which are very narrow bedrock drops with holes at the bottom. The 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.

FLOW The Jed Smith gage is significantly far downstream, but above 6k is a good base flow for IK trips. I have also done this run at 10k in a small raft and would reccomend 10,000 as a moderate flow.

PUT IN Turn at Knopki Cr Road, Forest Road 18N07. Park at the first bridge and put in. There is a second bridge further up, but putting in there only adds brushy shallow no fun mank. Above the second bridge is Middle Fork Falls.

TAKE OUT For a full day take out at 199 mile post 23.5, but do not continue downstream unless you want to run class V Siskiyou Gorge on the Middle Fork Smith.

CHARACTER Remote feel but pretty roadside along hwy 199.

SCENERY is a 8 out of 10, coastal rainforest, moss, dripping waterfalls and steelhead pooling in aerated confluence pools.

MILES 8 or 9.

PORTAGES Typically expect up to three portages for wood, or more if you are not comfotable with log ducks or scooting over branches. On this trip, I had zero portages in an IK, but everyone else in the group had at least one. I did run over/ under wood in play. Each of the three major wood hazards are pictured here, these are the ones that are expected to last multiple years.

SEASON winter after a rainstorm.

SHUTTLE along hwy 199, between roughyl mile post 23.5 and mile post 30 turnoff. Gravel road to put in for a mile or two, in good condition.

GAGE Smith near Crescent City (Jed Smith Gage)