Salmon
3 - Rough Creek Bridge to Torrey's Hole River Access(Sunbeam Day Stretch)
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 12 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Salmon River Bl Yankee Fork Nr Clayton Id |
| Flow Rate as of 35 minutes | 2460 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 7, 2024 |
River Description
Known as 'Sunbeam Run' or 'Day Stretch' by many local paddlers, this run starts as high as the Rough Creek Bridge although many put in below Sunbeam Dam at the confluence of the Yankee Fork where it joins the Salmon River. The run ends at the Torrey's Hole River Access boat ramp. Several alternate access points allow you to customize your run for the time and skills of your group.
The more advanced run begins with the 3.5 miles from Rough Creek Bridge down through the old Sunbeam Dam. It includes a fun boulder garden called 'Shotgun' (IV), which is extremely boney at low water and filled with holes at higher water, and 'The Dam' (IV) which is a single big hole at the old Sunbeam dam site that is normally run right or center-right, depending on how big of a hit you want.
Those looking for a little less action, and the standard put-in for the lower range of flows, can begin their trip at the Yankee Fork River Access or Elk Creek Access. Both access points have a raft slide to faciliate access to the water utilized by local outfitters running day trips.
The stretch below the Yankee Fork has two class III rapids, the first being 'Piece of Cake' located about a mile below the Yankee Fork. 'Piece of Cake' can be extremely boney at low water and gets fairly washed out at high water. It is normally run entering left-of-center moving towards center.
The second class III rapid is the 'Warm Springs Gorge' or 'The Narrows' located approximately 3.5 miles below the Yankee Fork. This short gorge of approximately 1/2 mile in length has fun read-and-run class III with the potential for a long swim if you have issues at the top. An optional kayaker take out below this gorge involves a short hike up to a pullout on the highway (44.253060, -114.667942). Those looking for easier access continue on down to Snyder Springs or Torrey's Hole access.
As an alternative put-in during the spring, the Yankee Fork is a fun add on which provides approximately 3 mil
...River Features
Rough Creek Bridge Put-in
This informal access point marks the transition point between the class II float through the valley in Stanley to the more challenging class III-IV whitewater downstream. Access is on the downstream river left side of the bridge at Highway 75 mile 199.0.
Shotgun
Boulder garden rapid that becomes class IV as the flows increase.
Sunbeam Dam
Sunbeam Dam on the Salmon River was bought by the state of Idaho early the 20th century. The adjacent bank was blasted out in the mid-1930's to provide fish passage for salmon and steelhead. Now, nearly a century later, the state lacks the initiative to protect these amazing fish runs by advocating dam removal and fish passage. Sunbeam dam also creates a fun rapid! You can view the dam at the interpretive site at a pull out at Highway 75 mile 202.4.
Yankee Fork River Access
This access marks a common starting point for the Day Stretch and is a utilized by local outfitters offering raft trips on this section. It is located on river left just downstream of the Sunbeam Dam site where the Yankee Fork joins the Salmon River (visible from the Sunbeam Dam site overlook). The access is on the downstream side of the Yankee Fork confluence. You can back your vehicle down the short drive to the top of the raft slide but will need to park your vehicle up on the highway shoulder so others can access the raft slide. Located at Highway 75 mile 202.5.
Elk Creek Access
Access on river left with raft slide at Highway 75 mile 203.3. It is located across the river from the confluence of Elk Creek where it enters the Salmon River.
Piece of Cake
Piece of Cake can be extremely boney at low water and gets fairly washed out at high water. It is normally run entering left-of-center moving towards center.
Warm Springs Gorge (aka Narrows)
Warm Springs Gorge (aka The Narrows) located approximately 3.5 miles below the Yankee Fork. This short gorge of approximately 1/2 mile in length has fun read-and-run class III with the potential for a long swim if you have issues at the top.
Kayaker Access
Informal take-out option for kayakers who want to exit the river after the most signficant whitewater at the end of the gorge and don't want to continue on downstream to the more developed access areas. It is a bit of a climb out but feasible at this pull out at Highway 75 mile 206.7.
Snyder Springs Access
Access on river left with raft slide. Highway 75 mile 208.9.
Torrey's Hole Take-Out
Formal access site with parking and a paved ramp that allows you to easily back trailers down to the river. If you start your run at the Yankee Fork Access it is a 8.5 mile run down to this access point. Located at Highway 75 mile 210.6.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportFun Class II/III run at this flow in our kayaks. We put in below the dam in time to see some commercial rafting carnage from the rapid above. There is a small wooden outhouse on river left (by the road) that marks the entrance to Piece of Cake. There was a wave train down the middle with a hole at the bottom center left. It was easy to see and avoid on the left or right. Class 1 easy Class II continues under a bridge that accesses a campground on the right. After a long flat stretch and a couple bends in the river the entrance to 'The Narrows' is pretty clear. As the name implies the canyon narrows significantly. The waves get bigger as you get further in. The center was clean, we noticed at least on big hole on river right about halfway through the rapid. Otherwise it was big fun Class III waves. We continued to Torrey's. It was a beautiful float with some great lunch spots with tables and outhouses on both sides of the river. I'm assuming these were set up by commercial rafting companines but seemed available for public use?
This stretch is not even close to class IV... the narrows has a couple of holes but other than that it is mellow
Sunbeam Dam on the Salmon River was bought by the state of Idaho early in this centur. The adjacent bank was blasted out in the mid-1930's to provide fish passage for salmon and steelhead. Now, nearly a century later, the state lacks the initiative to protect these amazing fish runs by advocating dam removal and fish passage. Sunbeam dam also creates a fun rapid! The river upstream of Sunbeam Dam was once drowned by a reservoir until the state of Idaho blasted the bank next to the dam to provide fish passage. Now, the river provides a great class III paddling trip.
Memorial Day Weekend 2006
Memorial Day weekend