Salmon, Middle Fork

Putting out this report on the status of the log jams on the upper Middle Fork Salmon for those who may be launching soon. I was in a group 7 in inflatable kayaks who paddled from Boundary Creek to Indian Creek. The ranger at Boundary said we were the first to launch there since the blowouts. After some log-clearing we were able to paddle everything easily. A small raft would be challenging to get through some jams, but portages would not be horrible. Here are the debris flows and log jams.

1. Lincoln Creek deposited some debris on river right, but there is an easy passage on river left.

2. Ramshorn rapid has two substantial log jams. There were nearly clear passages through both on river right. We cleared some logs from both to make them passable. The first is a simple tongue with no obstructions in the water, but you have to dodge a shoulder-height log on the left. 50 yards of shallow rocky water brings you to the second. Moderate current flows into and through the jam and could be dangerous to a swimmer, but it’s simple to get to river right. A head-height log extends over the second chute. Easy to duck under in a kayak. One of our IK’s brushed up against a plank from destroyed pack bridge and tore an 8 inch rip in his boat…instant pop and swim. We removed the plank. Be wary of other debris from the bridge.

3. Spike creek debris completely blocks river left and has a river-wide log on river right. Simple to drag over in any craft.

4. Velvet Falls had a river-wide log jam that now has a single chute through the center over an 4-5 ft drop into a weakly recirculating hole. Although the chute itself is wide enough for a small raft, there are shoulder-height logs on both sides limiting the gap to about 6 ft. The log on the right has a lot of water moving under and could pose a pin potential. It’s not hard to hit the line in a kayak. Portaging a small raft looks possible but not pleasant on river left.

5. A smaller blowout about a mile after Velvet put a lot of debris in the river for the next mile, but not block passage.

No other obstructions past Velvet. Have fun and be safe.