Santiam, Little North

Flows:  This section has been run below 400 cfs and was reportedly still worth doing. It has also been run over 5,000 cfs and was reported (by strong class V boaters) to be mostly class IV+ still, with portages at Fluffy and Thor's.

Most boaters look for between 800-2,500 cfs for medium flows.

Stream:  Boaters normally just refer to this upper reach of the Little North Fork Santiam as 'Opal Creek' and it is without question one of the most beautiful runs in the Cascades. Opal Creek properly is actually upstream of Jawbone Flats. Historically this river was known for small mining operations and you can see relics of that history at the put-in. Today the river is protected as the Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area and benefits from the stewardship of Friends of Opal Creek who manage the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center a couple miles up from the put-in.

The run itself features great advanced whitewater through a spectacular river canyon that passes through old-growth forest. Crystal clear water and beautiful pools between the drops round out what is one of the best boating adventures in the entire region.

From the normal put-in, there is a short section of bubbly warm up before the confluence with Gold Creek.  If flows are up, adventurous boaters sometimes put in on Gold Creek for another handful of class IV ledges and chutes.  Below Gold Creek the action starts quickly with boulder gardens, ledge drops, and fun chutes interspersed with stunningly beautiful pools surrounded by overhanging moss-draped cliffs and an impressive canopy of old-growth forest. Many of the rapids can be boat scouted but a few have lines that are not immediately obvious from above. Use caution at the S turn drop where the river slams into a couple of big boulders with a sieve in between them.

Big Ugly is the first of the bigger drops. The small ra

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