Pike

B) CTH.K to Barker Rd. ("Yellow Bridge") (3.4 miles)

Reach banner
DifficultyII-III
Length3.2 mi
Avg Gradient20 fpm
GaugePike River at Amberg, Wi
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
236 cfsII-IIIlow runnable
Reach Info Last UpdatedNovember 20, 2023

River Description

Location: About 4 miles East of Amberg, WI.

Put-in: 45.49557 -87.90440 Unimproved roadside pull-off from CTH.K at the river

Take-out: 45.47092 -87.87218 Unimproved roadside pull-off from Pike River Road

Shuttle Length: 3.2 miles/5 minutes

Put-in is approximately 787' elevation.

Take-out is approximately 737' elevation.

Thus elevation change is approximately 50'.

Character: Medium-width channel, bedrock and cobble bottom, pool/drop, generally open routes.

River banks: Generally rocks and trees.

Typical width: 45'-75'

Video: Pike River (~200 CFS) (Note:  Horseshoe Falls (two runs): 4:12-4:47,

General Overview

The Yellow Bridge Section of the Pike River (at normal/usual flows) is a fine beginners trip. You'll enjoy great 'up North' scenery cruising the flatwater, and the rapids will be enough to get your attention. More experienced paddlers will enjoy slightly higher flows, as the features build nicely to provide fine play and a rip-roaring finish.

The biggest problem you are likely to encounter here will be the bugs in summer: horseflies, deerflies, and mosquitos will feast on you unless you apply plenty of repellent. On one trip, one of our paddlers had a head-net which fit over his helmet and covered down to the neck of his paddle jacket. He had a great many offers to purchase (at multiples of what it had cost him!), but he would not part with it. Smart man!


River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 3.21 mi
Take Out

As the final rapids abate, the river comes close to Pike River Road for your take-out.


Bryan Foster
Bryan Foster

Jun 13, 2010


Falk playing just below the snag

Bryan Foster
Bryan Foster

Jun 13, 2010


Our trip had a number of large flies on it. Real nice stretch of river.

SS
steve snyder

May 27, 2003


1st of 2 drops

SS
steve snyder

Jan 1, 1900


First pitch of the falls.