Dearborn

1) Upper (carry up 4 miles from end of Dearborn Canyon Road)

Difficulty	III-V(V+)
Length	4.9 mi
Avg Gradient	n/a
Gauge	Dearborn River Near Craig Mt
Flow Rate as of 39 minutes	154 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last Updated	May 8, 2019

River Description

The Upper Dearborn is a sweet, off the beaten path run that is well worth the effort. After Hiking about 4 miles in on a good trail there is an easy access point down to the river just above a couple of substantial looking drops.

These first two run well though they are not the prettiest. The Dearborn rolls on for a bit with Class III drops and boogie water before reaching the next notable drop. This is a straightforward 6 foot ledge that is really fun. A little further down you find a powerful ledge drop that charges through a mean hole backed up by a large rock. This one runs quite clean, though it definitely looks intimidating.

After some more read and run boogie, you come to a log over the river that can be paddled under. Stop above this and scout the difficult gorge section on the left. The gorge starts with a couple small Class III drops leading into a very powerful 5 foot ledge that immediately charges over a thundering 12 foot falls. The swirling eddys below the spigot are steep and difficult to get out of. You are literally sitting about two feet below the exit point. Check this carefully before running at flows over 750. After this the river pinches into a barely runnable boulder jumble. It is not difficult, but one must avoid slipping into the right channel that is feeding directly into an undercut.

Shortly below the gorge there is good access back to the river on river left(the portage side) for those who choose not to hit the gorge. One more 8 foot falls and you are home free, with a chance to relax and soak in the incredible view.

Make sure you check out

River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 4 mi

Take Out

Trip Reports

Adam Jordan

May 24, 2011

Zach on first ledge

Adam Jordan

May 24, 2011

1500 cfs

Untitled

Nov 23, 2009

Since there is no Sun River section I thought I would post these here since its pretty close to the Dearborn. This is the finally on a great section of unknown water. The exit makes this a very dangerous rapid. It is hard to see in the pics but there is a nasty rock in the middle of the exit drop.

Clack Chiropractic Center PC

Apr 30, 2006

You can see the drop leading into Devils Glen, a twisting/curling double tiered compression falls.

Joe Booth

Apr 15, 2005

4 mile hike in. Once you get out of the trees the canyon walls are beautiful
Ben Whaley, IPA, goes over the edge on First Drop. This rapid is preceeded by small drops on the left and right with a rock in the center of the creek. Scout on left.
Will Peete, IPA, goes wild on the first move of Double Drop. This is a quick left-left drop that looks gnarly but paddles clean. Scout on river left or right.
Chi-town Ben, IPA, Making his way towards Devil's Glen. There is a nice eddy between these rapids and the big drop.
Committed to the Glen. Joe Booth, IPA, makes the first 5 ft drop. This is immediately followed by a 10 ft twisting falls into a grnaly eddy on river right.
Chi-town Ben, IPA, cleans it right down the center on Devil\'s glen.
Joe Booth, IPA, goes deep at the bottom of Devil's Glen.
Will Peete, IPA, puts down a solid brace as he gets cycled through the eddy at the bottom of the drop. This can be a very sticky spot and may be extremely hard to get out of at higher flows.
If you want to have the best view of one of your buddies dropping Devil's Glen, run it first and sit in this pool. You can really get a feel of the size and steepness of the falls.