Coquille, S. Fork

The largest vertical drop on this section of the SF Coquille.

3,000 cfs

This rapid is one of the first major rapids on the run, it has a small drop above it so if your swimming like I was swim fast. It's best to run it just to the right of the big boulder down the tongue as the current is pushing hard right into the rocks below which could pin you.

This rapid is under cut on the left side under the big boulder

Another rapid on the run

I just got back from my dream weekend (Elk/SF Coquille) and thought I'd add a bit while it's still fresh in my mind. First the hazards; this run is a bit more hazardous than your typical NW class 4, as the bedrock is sandstone that calves off the canyon walls in giant boulders in places. These soft sandstone boulders are then undercut by the current adding up to a large collection of sieves & siphons. This is no place to be swimming. If you find yourself swimming here steer clear of the upstream sides of these boulders if at all possible. (For example; I watched a friends carelessly dropped paddle head down the current then stop onto the upstream side of one of these boulders only to be sucked down and out of sight in a matter of seconds, not to be seen again.) Now the good news; this run is better and more beautiful than I remember it and worth every bit of the long drive. Also of note; with low snow levels we weren't able to investigate the short cut route to the Elk, next time.

This run is in the middle of nowhere...if you find yourself here you're either lost or you're going boating. I hope it's the latter because this is a very good and very scenic class 3/4 run. I would add the 3 or so miles of the next run and get out at Coal Creek. That way your getting in the best class 4 stuff and avoiding the dangerous class 5 below Coal Creek. Just over a low divide to the west (I have never driven this road, so I can vouch for it's condition) is the Elk River another scenic and fun class 3/4 river. I've often thought that combining the two would make for a great weekend of class 3/4 boating and camping.