Illinois

This run can be done as a day trip or as an upstream extension of the classic overnight wilderness run on the Illinois. Note that although this is a good option for kayakers, the portage at Illinois River Falls and the river-level foot bridge are problematic for rafts. Rafts should put-in at the McCaleb Bridge and take in just the lower portion of this run (see map) or just skip this section and put-in at Miami Bar. For a day trip, rafts should put in at 8 Dollar Mountain Bridge on NF-4201 and take out at Ring Beach (previously called 10 mile) to avoid the Illinois River Falls and the McCaleb bridge hazard.

When flows are up, typically above 1,800 cfs, you can float on Deer Creek (4.4 miles) to the confluence with the Illinois (Class II-III). Deer Creek is under the bridge a 1/2 mile or so south of the store in Selma. Siskiyou Field Institute will also allow respectful boaters to access Deer Creek on their private property for a $5 parking fee. Call Lily, caretaker at SFI with any parking concerns or questions.

An alternate access for a short run is at the Snailback Trailhead. This is a posted river access point a mile or two downstream from Selma. A pretty, 1/2 mile downhill walk gets you to the river and it's about 3 miles to a take-out below Lower Six Mile. There are four stand-out Class III to III+ rapids (Ranch Rock, Crankshaft, Upper and Lower Six Mile) in that distance but the deep canyon is beautiful and wildlife plentiful. The rapids can pack a punch when flows at the Kerby gage reads over 1,500 cfs and the right side of Ranch rock becomes munchy above 3,500.

Below lower Six Mile Rapid is a mile or two of Class II, then a fun III+ rapid that signals lower Illinois River Falls (V+) is around the corner. Eddy out and portage right when a block of concrete appears in the middle of the river (fish ladder). After the falls, it's Class II to the floating bridge at McCaleb Ranch where you can expect to portage. This foot bridge and the road br

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