Big Creek (Tributary of Middle Fork Salmon River)

My friend and l ran Big Creek in two packrafts on 6/13/25 as part of a five day loop which involved the Salmon River, Big Creek, and the Middle Fork Salmon. We put in at Beaver Creek and rafted all the way to the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon (and beyond). Note that a permit is needed to camp on big creek (and perhaps even just to raft it?) so we had these, turnaround time is a few weeks and they are free and self issued, The river gauge was 3500 CFS on Middle Fork. Big creek water felt fairly high to us at this flow. The first few miles after Beaver Creek was solid class III-IV paddling with extremely high wood hazard potential / consequences of flips. I believe two wood hazards in this section requiring portage but this is going to change every year. Tough to catch eddy lines at this flow as well. The river then calmed down and is II until the Coxey Hole rapid. Unfortunately, lots of wood in play at Coxey Hole and while there was a line, it was too narrow for our liking so we portaged this on river trail left. More class II until Taylor Ranch bridge and then the gorge begins. The gorge was four miles of consistent, fast moving class III-IV water which was absolutely amazing paddling, some of the best I've ever experienced. I think only a few true class IV moves, but at our flows, a swim in this section could result in a long swim and there was one wood hazard which can sneak up on you (also likely to change each year). All in all, highly recommend big creek but would advise paddlers to be adept at class IV paddling and identifying / avoiding wood hazards because they are likely to be present and will sneak up on you at high water.