Santiam, N.

Ran this for the first time July 31st. For other newbies to the run, here is the put-in location while Packsaddle Park is closed (https://goo.gl/maps/a7kdUkxY9pSvQbQC9). Park on the side of the highway near a gate for the dam (obviously don't block it). Carry your boat down the road, turn right at the fence following signs that say 'portage trail', then descend some steep stairs to the put-in. Hand rails on the stairs can be used for sliding rafts down.

Run was fun and pretty chill at 1000 cfs. Didn't get stuck *too* much.

Ran today in a 12' paddle raft at 1340cfs. Some rocks to maneuver around and smaller rapids. We missed Carnivore by accident; keep an eye out for the island after Spencer's Hole and stay L if you want to hit it. Packsaddle park is closed for the foreseeable future, so you can park at the pulloff at the top of the restricted access dam road and carry boats down the graded path, leading to a steep metal staircase. You'll be walking downriver with the fence to your L, then turn towards the river. We set up a munter hitch to lower the boat slowly along the rails of the bstaircase. Getting a kayak or SUP down the stairs would be easier.

Packsaddle Park and river access will be closed until spring 2021. To put-in for the run, park outside the gate at the Minto Fish Hatchery and carry your boat down the access road and the steep metal stairs to the water. Mind you there are two things named Minto. The Minto Hatchery and dam is upstream from Packsaddle. We ran this section on 11/1/2020 after the fires. The roads were open, people were still burning slash, and some had already started to rebuild. The river had several large tree trunks perched on rocks that had clearly come down the Niagara section and had their limbs beat off. As of our date all the main rapids were clean and no portages were needed, but a high flow could deposit large woodpiles in new locations so be careful!

water at 1030 cfs

River access in Packsaddle Park at Highway 22 mile 35.8
Access on downstream river right of the old railroad bridge at the park in Mill City.

Usually runnable year round. Two major rapids: Spencers hole(III) and Mill City Falls(III). During most flow levels the falls are more technical to the right with the center and left side more mellow.