| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 4.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 430 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 27, 2026 |
Very rarely does a stretch of this gradient somehow match up with a relatively clean IV/V rating. Big drops, smooth Cali granite, and beautiful sunshine...what else could you ask for? Many budding boaters have cut their teeth on the slides of South Silver (sometimes literally), often walking away with nothing but grins, others nursing broken boats and sometimes broken bodies.
As of recent, most have opted to skip the upper portions of this run, putting in at a lower access point, which drops you off at the top of Autobahn, a 350 foot long slide. These same folks have also opted to skip (hike) the bottom 1/2 mile, saving a bit of abuse from the bottoms of boats. By doing this, the run becomes very, very short, but allows for more time to run laps on your favorite rapids.
There is a gauge located at the takeout and it is fairly accurate, though correlational readings can change between years/high flows. A good medium flow to look for is 100 to 120 cfs. During the spring when the diurnal fluctuation really gets going, the flow peaks at around 10am and drop all the way until 5pm, when it starts it's daily swing back up. This is nice, as you'll often put on around 10am, providing lower flows as the day progresses.
The first descent of this section was far, far before my time. For a fantastic dive into the books of history, look no further than Duncan Mine's incredible short film.
Access Logistics
Put In: Multiple put-ins exist, with the most common (lower) put in being here. Find the trail heading downhill and west to the top of Autobahn.
Alternate Put in:
...A lower, alternate put in that places you right at the top of Autobahn.
Keep it upright. A long, fun, high speed slide.
Fun, straightforward. Often a sticky hole at the bottom drop.
Laps! Can be hiked either river right or left, with river right being slightly easier.
Many a boat harmed here. Bow left over the drop is the new-age line. Dare I say it kept my back feeling nice and young.