Sheep Creek (Bruneau trib)

We ran 31 miles of Sheep creek into the Bruneau on May 17-19, 2016, starting from the bridge at the White ranch, and continuing past James Place (on GPS, there's a stone cabin there). The major challenge of the run is the willows growing in the streambed, blocking visibility and making downstream progress laborious at times. Mary's Creek which is listed as the launch point does cut off several miles of willow-bashing, however it looks very small and may also be congested with willows. There are numerous class III and IV rapids in the willows which are difficult to scout, the first of which is at mile 7 after a sharp left bend.

There are two portages, the first at mile 20 (from the ranch) is a rapid called 'Gushy' or the slide. It is an obvious biggie and an easy walk on the left. There is a class III and two IV's in the narrow gorge a couple miles below this drop, then the canyon opens up and the willows get thick again.

The next gorge section is mostly class II. The second portage is 'Redwall' rapid at mile 26, after a left bend. Portage right. If you are gutsy enough to paddle to the very last eddy, the portage is easy, otherwise you will be hauling boats over small cliffs. The last eddy is small, however, so scout before committing to anything.