Hazard Creek

This short class III-IV run is a typical central Idaho creek. It contains a very consistent gradient throughout the entire stretch. Check out the stream while driving up to the put-in to gain a feeling for the sections you can't see from the road. At low flows the run is slower with eddies on shore and behind all the boulders (class III/IV). At high flows be ready as the current will be fast with fewer eddies to catch (come prepared for class IV+ whitewater). The flow goes into the bushes and creates holes all over. Not knowing the run will make the few eddies hard to see and catch. Watch for logs! This run is usually very clean and does not contain any portages, however wood shifts and could block passage at any time.

Logistics: Approximately 20 miles south of Riggins at Highway 95 mile 176.5, turn east on the Forest Service road that parallels Hazard Creek on river right. At 1 mile up the road stay right at the fork and continue another 0.3 mile to the bridge across the river. Put in on the upstream river right side of the bridge. Immediately downstream Hard Creek joins and the flow increases. A take-out is available where Hazard Creek joins the Little Salmon at the point where you turn off Highway 95. Most continue downstream on the Little Salmon.