Kettle

Kettle River: Orient to BarstowThere are three seasons/levels on the Kettle River: Spring/High water; Early to late Summer/Medium water; Late-Summer to Spring/Low water. Unless you're an expert,there's one area to avoid at high and medium levels: The Gorge.

Spring/High water is the result of snow melt and spring rains. The Orient toBarstow run will produce mostly Class 2 and a few Class 3 sections that areeasily avoided. High water generally starts about late April and decreasinguntil late June. Most rapids are rolling with some holes and choppy sections.Unless you're an expert, you must put out at the Beach or have a very difficultuphill portage' over private property. There's a large eddy on river right beforeThe Gorge. Pull out here and scout first. The Gorge is a Class 5 at high waterwith wicked holes, deep kettles, odd shaped underwater rocks and cross rapids.It's doable but you'd better be good or very lucky. There's a 5 or 6 foot dropwith very strong currents. Below The Gorge there's about 100 yards of Class2/3 rapids that are a blast…if you're still upright! Often there's a Class2/3 shoot on river left. Depending on the level there may be some large rocksexposed in mid-stream that you can land on and scout.

Summer/Medium water is the most popular time and runs roughly from late Junetill October. Expect barely Class 2 rapids. But again, The Gorge offers a challenge.It's a runable Class 2/3 but with a section that usually must be made…orelse. Conditions vary depending on log jams or a change in the rock structure.It's easy to land on the large, middle rock section and portage'. This is afun section in the summer but it's highly advised you use a spotter with a rescuebag.

Late-Summer to Spring/Low water. This is inner tube time with few serious kayakers.You'll be scraping bottom and The Gorge is mellow.

If you would like to avoid hitting the Gorge while doing this float, then you'll need to takeout at I-Beach (48°49'19'N 118°10'12'W)

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