Apple
A) Little Falls to Pike Hole (2.2 miles)
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 2.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 13 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 13, 2019 |
River Description
This stretch of the Apple River is well upstream of the popular 'tubing' area near Somerset, and is one of the first runs in the area to open up for the year so area paddlers use it as a 'tune up' for the coming season.
Put-in is at a county park, from which you'll have about 1.25 miles of warmup water. Just downstream of CTH.C bridge, the river makes a couple twists and turns, then drops into Pike Hole Rapids and Little Falls, each of which is class II+/ III-. (There appears to be ~30' of drop in about 0.8 miles through here.)
Take-out is immediately after the two main drops on the run. Those who have never done the run are advised to walk down the hill from the take out parking area to have a look at
the main rapid. You'll hear it before you see it. Medium level will have
some water coming around the tiny island pourover.
This is run by locals (from the Amery area) at normal summer flow, but it's a bone run, park and play at first big rapid only (the waves will be mushy at usual summer flow). Aluminum canoes scrape, grind, and groan their way down the first drop at low water. That said, a 'banksfull' level tends to wash out a lot of features above the big drops, and the eddies get tiny at the first big drop. A longer trip my be had by paddling to the next bridge crossing.
River Features
Put In
Pike Hole
Downstream of CTH.C bridge, the river makes a couple twists and turns, then drops into Pike Hole Rapids, a class II (possibly up to class III) rapids.
As you enter the canyon you'll find scattered small waves, shallow slides, and rocks. A calm spot with a sand bar on the right allows scouting the drop if you have not seen it.
Check the last rock at the entry for logs. This slide has a tongue at the right that blasts into a rock that is easy to hit (and a sure pin if you don't clear or boof the rock). On the left, the hole frowns downstream, and is very aerated, and undercut.
Enjoy playing the waves!
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportGood beginner park and play at red dot (park at the bend in the road just south). I learned how to roll and surf at the base of Pike, it was good to go even in the fall. The hole is deep and mild and a great place to practice rolling in an actual rapid. It was tame enough I could practice solo safely (yes I know I still shouldn't). I didn't ever check the second falls, but there's a trail and you can hear it at Pike. To be clear, this is a beginner/practice spot only and not a place for anyone who can already roll.