Imnaha

We ran from 1/2 mile above the town of Imnaha (river right) to Heller Bar on the Snake in three easy days. At launch the Imnaha flow was 950 and falling, which was medium-low for kayaks; rafters would want more. Ranches line the banks until Cow Creek where there is a toilet and currently also a fish trap. After Cow Crk the terrain is more rugged and isolated. There is a good trail along the river left bank from Cow Creek to the confluence, and that section of whitewater is the best part of the run with lots of great eddies and some surf spots. It was fairly continuous class III at this flow, requiring class IV skills to stay out of trouble. There was no problematic wood. Camping at the Imnaha-Snake confluence allows for a hike back up the trail. The 20+ miles on the Snake was mostly flatwater with jetboat exhaust and vacation homes on the banks. You do get to see the confluence of the Salmon and Snake not far below the Imnaha confluence, and the Grand Ronde joins the Snake immediately above Heller Bar.

Mileages and gradients:
Our put-in to the lower Imnaha bridge: 6.5 miles, average gradient 35'/mile.
Lower Imnaha bridge to Cow Creek bridge: 13.6 miles, avg gradient 43'/mile.
Cow Creek bridge to the confluence: 4.2 miles, average gradient 53'/mile.