Lochsa
4 - Split Creek Pack Bridge to Lowell (Selway)
| Difficulty | II-III+ |
| Length | 15 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Lochsa River Nr Lowell Id |
| Flow Rate as of 57 minutes | 9850 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 3, 2022 |
River Description
While the runs upstream of this section are known around the world as some of Idaho's best and most accessible whitewater, this lower section allows one to enjoy the beauty of the Lochsa at a significantly less intense pace. The entire run is roadside and most of it is visible on the shuttle drive making it easy to get an assessment of the character of the run, although the crux move in Hellgate is not immediately obvious when driving by.
From the put-in at Split Creek Pack Bridge, which serves as the take-out for the class IV 'Lower Lochsa', the river settles down considerably although three rapids of note--Surprise, Fire Creek, and Coolwater--are spaced out over the first three miles.
Knife Edge River access makes a popular alternative put-in that avoids the first few intermediate rapids and is an option for those who want to enjoy a short (4 mile) class II float. Just pack a lunch and take your time to enjoy a mellow day on the river.
A couple miles downstream of Knife Edge the river heads through a fun class II rapid that is not named. Another mile downstream and you will reach Apgar Rapid which is also class II. Just after running Apgar Rapid you will reach Apgar Campground. While you will not find a good developed river access at this site, which is managed primarily as a campground, those who do not wish to run Hellgate can use this as a take-out.
Hellgate Rapid is about a mile downstream of Apgar Campground and is known as the most challenging rapid on the run. Most notice the large pourover rock to the left, but miss the hidden hole down the right tongue that can flip or hold boats. You can scout or portage on river right.
In another mile you will come to Handy Creek, a straightforward rapid that appears at lower flows. The take-out at the Lowell River access is at the confluence with the Selway River.
Logistics: A few different option
...River Features
Split Creek Access, Put-In
Access is on the downstream river right side of the pack bridge and parking is across the highway. A set of stairs provides access to the river. It can be a little tricky to get a raft in here but it is possible if you have a good team to carry it across the highway, navigate the barriers, and carry it down the stairs.
Surprise
Highway 12 Mile 111.0.
Fire Creek
Highway 12 Mile 110.7.
Coolwater Creek
Highway 12 Mile 109.4.
Knife Edge River Access
Good river access point at Highway 108.3.
Unnamed Rapid
Highway 12 Mile 105.9.
Apgar Rapid
Highway 12 Mile 104.4.
Apgar Campground Access
Not the best river access as the site is really managed as a small campground but if you don't want to run Hellgate you will need to take out here. Highway 12 Mile 104.3. Parking is limited. You may need to carry your boats through a campsite.
Hellgate
The most challenging rapid on this section with a hole towards the right that can flip or hold boats. The ledge on river left is easy to spot from upstream but you need to stay alert for the hole down the river right tongue which can sneak up on you. It's not hard to avoid as long as you are paying attention. Highway 12 Mile 103.2.
Selway-Lochsa Confluence Take-Out
Access at the actual confluence where the Lochsa and Selway join to form the Clearwater is limited. The bank is steeep on river right. Three Rivers Resort is along river left with access available for guests. Access within the bridge right-of-way is possible but continuing downstream to the Wild Goose Campground is the best option.
Wild Goose Campground Access
Good beach access with steps down to the water. More practical take-out for rafts than than trying to get out at the confluence.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRan this stretch with 3 others in a 14' raft. Every rapid was straigth forward read and run except Hellgate. We gave Hellgate a good look before running. We opted for a pretty conservative line on the far right of the hidden hole in the wave train. We realized immediatly that we could have crowded the hole a little more and made it more interesting. Every rapid had nice tall long wave trains that were a blast. We took out at Three Rivers. In the future we will take out at the access just up river at Pete King rd. Putting in at Split Creek takes a little effort and timing to get the boat and gear down to the river and stay out of the way of everyone running laps on the Wilderness Gateway to Split section.
The trip began by launching at Wilderness Gateway and then continuing down to Split Creek where we picked up more of the group and continued down to Apgar. The float from Split Creek was approximately 90 minutes.
We began our trip as a large group with several kayaks and a few rafts at the Split Creek Pack Bridge. Some took out at Apgar which was a short run at these flows. Others continued down to Wild Goose Campground on the Clearwater.
A trip from Split Creek Pack Bridge down to Knife Edge River Access.
River trip from Knife Edge down through Hellgate Rapid
Short run with the kids from Knife Edge River Access to Apgar Campground.