Clearwater, S. Fork

Mickey Mouse section of the sf Clearwater offers great class 4 fun at flows up to 4,000cfs blackerby is the stoutest rapid on the section mostly due to its length it is right below the bridge at the junction of the mt Idaho road and worth a look. This section can be ran as high as it gets especially if you take out before blackerby. At extremely high flows (6k+) the run above blackerby becomes pool drop class 5-. The road is along the river for scouting and portaging. Shorter runs are possible.

Description:

Put in around MP14. The first five miles are relatively quiet between short class IV drops. Scout these drops from the road; They can be tricky. Just above the bridge begins one mile of Blackerby, a gravel bolder garden. I like to take out at MP8. Easier bolder gardens continue for a while. The flat spots become flatter and longer and the drops become shorter, rockier, and easier. This continues all the way to MP0 more or less. The higher the water, the lower you should put in.

Shuttle: Road Map

To get to the take-out: Go up Idaho State Highway 14 and find a wide spot to park between MP0 and MP8.

To get to the put-in: Go up Hwy 14, 13.8 miles to an unnamed undeveloped campground just below MP14. Castle Creek Campground is well marked at ‘mile post 14.5’.