Payette, S. Fork

An idealic late summer run that was so much fun that we did two days in a row. At these flows the run is a great novice run, or perhaps even beginner run. Water temps were warm enough to paddle in shorts and a t-shirt. There was a fun wave relatively close to the end that we sessioned with surfs and rocket moves. The first half of this section is more open and flows through back yards, but then it transitions to a nice little canyon section.

We did the run from Mountain View down to Pine Flats with a big group of about 30 people including hardshell kayaks and inflatable kayaks. Although we found plenty of room to unload and stage at Mountain View Campground, which has easy river access, parking was limited to only a couple of cars. At this flow the river was fairly continuous and the current was swift with several fun class II rapids. We found one really great play wave downstream of Lowman. A few paddlers took out at the Deadwood Access while others continued downstream to Pine Flats where we were camped. This adds a couple class III rapids to the run. The access at Pine Flats is a steep climb up the bank but the trail is short and you can directly access campsites 5, 6, and 7. The kids were able to carry their boats up.

The log in Chapman Creek has been gone for all of the 2021 season

View of Little Surprise from the shoreline.

We ran the section of the South Fork above Helende with the kids and then the adults continued on downstream to Kirkham Hot Springs.

We ran from Warm Springs Guard Station to Mountain View Campground in a 14 foot oar rigged raft. Flows were around 2,250 @Lowman. The run took around 3.5 hours. Plenty of water at this flow, but Little Surprise and Kirkham Gorge and are a tight fit in an oar boat. Make sure you are able to put your boat exactly where you want it before attempting to row this run. I would recommend 4WD for the Warm Springs launch site with a boat trailer, as it is a little steep getting out. I would also recommend that large groups not try to take out at Mountain View, as there isn't much space there. Its fine for a boat or too, but might get a little hectic with several boats and vehicles, especially with trailers. Continue a couple of miles more down to Deadwood.

1660 at the Lowman gauge. We put in just above Canyon creek and almost immediately ran into two mandatory portages (riverwide trees) with a third possible portage that we squeaked over. After that it was a fun and sporty section with Little Surprise being the last rapid we ran.

We did the run from Mountain View down to Deadwood with the kids. It was a good flow and a good time was had by all in a combination of hardshell and inflatable kayaks.

A few photos from the road on the drive out.

Ran from the access a mile and half upstream of Bonneville down to Helende (nice campground) and others in the group ran sections from Helende down to Pine Flat. A few logs in play but generally clean and a good time with the kids in the rafts (they put in at Warm Springs Guard Station) with some excitement at Little Surprise.

Helende to Mountain View Campgrounds, 7/11/11. 2400 cfs. Very nice, no logs. Emma has a big hit, and Kirkham always worth a look.

Ran this from the campground just above Canyon Creek down to Kirkam Hot Springs @ about 1200 cfs. Canyon Creek rapid was ok. There was a fun little drop between there and Bonneville Hot Springs. Also, just above Bonneville there is a neat 3 tier drop rapid. Next was Chapman Creek rapid which was not any trouble. About a mile after that though was the most difficult rapid. Thought it was about a +III or IV. Then it was swift water till Wake Up. Got pushed against a wall and into a bad eddy on river right. Swam there. Last rapid Kirkam Gorge and then some hot springs soaking. Fun run. Very long day.

Ran from the campground above Grandjean to the hot springs at Bonneville. This is mostly a II run, with some exceptions. We encountered a log portage above the great III+ canyon that is roadside on the way to putin. Next time I'd launch just above this canyon. We had another portage below this canyon. The only significant drop on this section is visible from the road where Canyon Creek enters the run. This a great III-IV drop with some good features at 2300. Very scenic with views of the sawtooth range from the top of the run.
--Brian Vogt