Payette, S. Fork

The typical access point is Deer Creek Ramp, at mile 4.5 on the Banks-Lowman Road. At most flows the Deer Creek ramp is a super fun seal launch. Just don't put your hands down while sliding, you'll get terrible splinters. At low flows there are exposed rocks at the bottom that can break your boat, if you can see them, then likely the flow is too low to use the ramp. If the ramp needs to be bypassed, there are stairs that can be used to climb down to the water with some flatish rocks to launch off of.

A few years back, a warning sign was posted by the Forest Service calling the rapid with the huge log in it 'Dogleg.' The sign is long gone, but the name remains. A large midstream boulder towards river left separates the river into a river left slot and a wide open line down the right. More often than not, there are logs jammed into the river left slot; forming strainers. So when in doubt, go right. This rapid is visible from the road when looking upriver.

At low flows (800ish), this turns into one of the most interesting features on the run. The river right channel turns into a series of little drops and sharp turns. Lots of shooting green tongues between rocks.

Excellent green wave at 2000-2500cfs, still decent at other levels. At flows that are too low for this feature to surf, there is an alternate large wave that forms just upstream between the large rock and river left channel.

Staircase is a challenging rapid with a very long swim if things go wrong. There are multiple different lines that can be scouted from a large pull-out at mile 2.3 along the Banks-Lowman Road. From the top of the rapid to the run out is about 1/3 of a mile.

While bank scouting Staircase, take note of the large entrance rock left of center, which is called Whale rock. There is another round boulder right-of-center that forms an eddy in the middle of the rapid called the 'Duck Pond,' most kayakers try to catch this eddy on the way down. A good line can generally be found down the middle between Whale rock and the Duck-Pond-Boulder. Entering the rapid just to the left of the Duck-Pond-Boulder and going down the center will position you the best for both catching the Duck Pond and missing the upcoming holes. 50 yards below Duck Pond, is a sweeping bend to the river, called Carnage Corner, right before this bend is a big hit with holes and/or waves depending on the flow. Holes here are not super retentive, but if it can get sticky if you founder in sideways or upside down, so this is a common spot for boaters to swim. At low flows (800ish and down) Carnage Corner can form rocky ledges that are a good idea to scout from the bank. Below Carnage Corner the river flatens out for a ways, but the water is still fast and churny so it's still near impossible to clean up a swimmer. There is one last class fun wave-hit/drop at the bottom before the river mellows.

There are other lines to the left of Whale Rock that are common for kayakers to take. However, below Whale Rock's eddy there are some rocks that can be dangerous. They like to catch wood, many rafts have wrapped on a rock left-of-center, and there is also a sieve rock on river left that is known to have drowned a raft guide years ago.

Under the Highway 55 bridge and just past the confluence of the South Fork Payette and the North Fork Payette is the takout on river right. This is a sand bar with a large eddy. Main parking area has boat trailer access, toilets, and changing rooms. Banks can get very busy in the summer months, since it is also the put in for the Upper Main Payette. Kayakers often take advantage of an alternate takeout that is called 'Free Banks' or 'Kayaker Takeout.' This take out is on river right just before the river passes under the Highway 55 Bridge. Free Banks has free parking and avoids the chaos of the Banks ramp at the main parking lot. This also bypasses the traffic jams at the busy intersection if you are going to drive eastbound on Banks-Lowman road; perfect for multiple laps. Free Banks has a nice area to hide boats and gear from the road while shuttling, although there have been thefts reported in the past.