Salmon, S. Fork
3 - Secesh Confluence with South Fork to Salmon River(South Fork Salmon)
River Description
Summary
Following the pioneering descent in 1971, Cal Giddings reported in the American Whitewater journal that “we feel we have uncovered a superb wilderness kayaking river.” The South Fork has stood the test of time as a great 2-3 day self-support trip in central Idaho. The put in is at the confluence where the Secesh River joins the South Fork Salmon River and the road ends. The trip can be combined with runs on the South Fork Salmon River, East Fork South Fork Salmon River, or Secesh River that all have access points along the forest road network in the basin.
This is a challenging, remote wilderness run. It is strongly advised to not attempt this unless you know exactly what you're doing.
A permit is required for the float out on the Main Salmon, but there is presently no lottery. You cannot camp on the Main Salmon part of the run. Get your permit before heading from McCall from the Paytte Forest office, with more info here.
Overall Description
The river changes with flow. During spring snowmelt the South Fork dishes out some of the biggest water around and is a committing Class V expedition. Expect huge waves and holes, many of which are unavoidable, stacked throughout the run. Medium flows provide an experience somewhere in the middle, with several spots that still readily push into Class IV+ or more. Due to the remoteness, it is not a place for someone who swims or misses lines on any regular basis. It is remote and rescue extremely difficult.
Rafting descents of the South Fork are challenging and relatively rare although catarafts are an increasingly common sight. The river is largely the domain of self-support kayakers.
One Boise boater has opined, 'My two cents: you gotta feel super good on the SF Payette - sti
...River Features
Secesh Confluence Put-In
The put-in is on river left just downstream of the Secesh confluene with the South Fork Salmon River.
South Fork Guard Station Road Bridge
The bridge marks the approximate halfway point for the trip. Road access and cabins along river left extend for the next half dozen miles down to Smith Creek.
Vinegar Creek, Take Out
The standard take-out, unless you are flying out, is at Vinegar Creek Access on the Main Salmon which requires a 20 mile paddle out on the Main Salmon on the last day of your trip. You can also take out at Carey Creek Access which is just downsteram of Vinegar Creek Access.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe put on the morning of July 8th, running the final mile and a half of the Secesh River down to the confluence, before starting down the South Fork Salmon. We had 2 packrafts and 2 kayaks in our group. The Krassel Gauge was at 3.2 when we launched, falling to 3.1 over the trip. We spent 2 nights on the river, and our 3rd day was spend paddling the Main Salmon out to Carey Creek Boat Ramp.
The level was a good level for our mixed group. Still plenty of water for the kayakers to be happy, but not so pushy the packrafts couldn't hit their lines. We saw 3 other groups on our trip, 2 groups of Catarafts, and another group of kayakers, plus one solo kayaker that we saw come through during our scout of Elk Creek Rapid.
I ran this at 1.65 ft a month ago. I went by the info on here that it is in down to 1 ft and was expecting class 3+ as indicated on here. Not the case. I would really recommend updating this info, as I could see it getting people in over their heads or on a portage fest they weren't expecting. Lots of scraping over rocks and one portage due to more sieves than water in the rapid. Lots of sieves in general. Still fun as always, but I wish there was more accurate info on here. 2 ft is probably my personal low end cut off.
Recently ran this in packrafts at about 2'and flew back to Krassel from Wilson Bar. Several short portages due to low water complications. Got a pretty severe scolding for walking thru Mackey Bar Ranch on the exit to Wilson Bar - there is apparently a hard-to-see fork in the legal FS trail 108 that stays on the hill above the ranch.
The South Fork Salmon River with Morgan Giddings, whose father Cal Giddings pioneered the run in 1971. Flows were 3.4' dropping to 3.2' over a trip that was 4 days and 3 nights. Due to a landslide on Highway 95 that prevented the shuttle from getting through, we used a plane to fly back to McCall from the confluence of the South Fork with the Main Salmon.
The exit of Fall Creek Rapid, 7-1-2018, 2.83' on the Krassel Gage
Scout Fall Creek #3 at mid 3' level
Class IV Heaven
This is a typical view of the South Fork Salmon. It is like a little Middle Fork with more challenging rapids and no other paddlers.
The South Fork was a wonderful fall trip. 1.65 feet was low, but still runnable and enjoyable.