Smith, South Fork
Buck Creek to Stevens Bridge(South Kelsey Run)
January 22, 2023
South Kelsey R2 Raft Descent
| Reporter | Nicole Smedegaard |
| Gauge Reading | 4500 cfs at SMITH R NR CRESCENT CITY CA |
| Flow | Medium Flow |
This run is interesting because there are a few rapids with sticky holes which lead you to believe you want lower flows, but then there are a bunch of rapids with rocks right where you need to go. So for hardshell boaters 4500 would seem like a low flow, for small R2 rafts I would say it is medium, and for an IK you would want less.
Mid winter, there is still beautiful sun on the water around and after Island Drop so long as you during a nice weather window.
The rapids are all in the first part, then an easy paddle out to Stevens Bridge for roughly the last two miles.