Payette, Middle Fork

Lat/Longitude data are very approximate.

This section is notably different than most of the big water runs of the Payette and Salmon runs in Idaho. Pool drops and creek-style paddling are the most iconic characteristics. Most rocks are like sandpaper and you will lose momentum when trying to boof and can be a pin hazard with inattentive paddling. Paddle with confidence & commit to all the moves and you should avoid many of the hazards. The last rapid, Molly's Nipple, could be called class V and the whole run might be class V above 1500 cfs or so.

There are three sections of this gorge run: the Gorge (Silver Creek to Trail Creek), the Distillery (bridge to bridge) and Boiling Springs (CG to bridge). This beta ends at Trail Creek campground, upstream of two class V+ roadside sections, knowl locally as 'the Steeps', which have lots of wood and strainers (and no run description currently).

Boiling Springs:

A nice warm up to the rest of the run, a good skill builder for technical paddling, and an ideal spring run for beautiful scenery, clear water, and the occasional bit of action. Your biggest limitation is the road-- it sometimes takes until mid May to clear and be accessible by 2WD or standard passenger vehicles. The majority of the run is roadside, as are most of the iconic rapids. Use your drive up to scout for new logs that may have fallen into the river.

There are four major rapids. First up is the Kinks (III), approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the campground. As you round a bend, the river narrows, boulders become prevalent, and your first technical movements become required. After a half mile of calmer waters, you approach the most dangerous rapid: Hawking (IV+). Named for the undercut rock into a black hole (river left), you will need to weave around several small holes and power to the right to avoid the hazard. Immediately downstream is Plinko (IV), a fast and fun vertical slot with a great sc

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