Hayfork Creek

At over 50 miles in length and as the single largest tributary to the South Fork Trinity River, Hayfork Creek is a river in its own right. This is among the southernmost whitewater runs within the vast Klamath River watershed, and this is the lowermost of the multiple runs on Hayfork Creek.

Hayfork Creek flows out of the northern Yolla Bollys.

Put in at Nine-Mile Bridge on Hyamopom Road. The run starts easy with six scenic miles of class II rapids before the challenging class IV-V section begins below the confluence with Miners Creek. Although Hyampom Road roughly parallels the Hayfork Creek, it is high above water level and does not provide easy access to this run except at the put-in and take-out.

This run flows through two distinct gorges, the first is about three miles long beginning near Miners Creek and ending near Corral Creek. Triple Drop, a large rapid on a right bend, is in this section.A three mile interlude of class II-III rapids will bring you to the second, more difficult gorge sometimes called Big Canyon. Griz Falls is the crux rapid in the section, and it is commonly portaged. The difficulty and hazards on this run are sensitive to water level: low flows expose undercut rocks and congested routes, medium flows provide better routes and fewer (visible) undercuts, and high flows can be stout.

The US Forest Service has determined that Hayfork Creek is eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, although it has not yet been designated. The water quality, scenery, and whitewater are spectacular and the creek contains essential habitat for anadromous fish.

At Hyampom, Hayfork Creek typically represents about 40% of the total flow at the South Fork Trinity USGS gage.