Payette, S. Fork

Free Banks is not longer free, it is imprisoned behind metal highway guardrails and unable to provide the community with it's services.

Last year the Idaho DOT installed a stoplight in Banks and for some reason this project included the demise of Free Banks. one star :(

Omar Jepperson, James Girton, Leanna Girton, Web Peirce, Cyn Taylor, and Tom O'Keefe on a run down Staircase.

Idaho Power now has a gauge at the put in for Staircase that is more accurate than the one on here, which just subtracts the North Fork from the Main.

https://www.idahopower.com/OurEnvironment/WaterInformation/StreamFlow/maps/streamFlowsDataTable.cfm?id=207221728

Photos from the road.

This was my 3rd run on Staircase I got surfed a second at Carnage Corner but I was fine.

Lower Staircase rapid, 2900 cfs. Great level! Photo WasatchBill

January run of the Payette South Fork Staircase Run. Rapids include Bronco Billy, Staircase, and Slalom. Three weeks earlier the run was choked with ice.

papa smirf getting caught on tape Visiting Britts Hole.

This is the entrance to Staircase during low water. High water produces a very different level of difficulty than seen here, but this gives you insight into what is making the water churn at higher levels. Whale rock is on the far left of the picture.

Squirt competition, Payette Rodeo

Pentax 43 WR stitched panorama