Colt Killed Creek (White Sand Creek)
2. Colt Killed Creek Trailhead to Lochsa River
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 12.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 2, 2026 |
River Description
Lower Colt Killed Creek is a great run for people who seek a long, remote, and beautiful day on a small river without dealing with super hard rapids. The rapids start with class IV, tapering off to class III, and finally class II. Without any big/steep drops, some paddlers take their playboats for this run. It is generally runnable whenever the Lochsa has a medium flow in it.
This creek flows through a large Forest Service roadless area managed as backcountry which means that removal of timber is generally not allowed and new roads will not be constructed. This creek flows through a remarkably beautiful and wild place. The water quality is superb, and paddlers have seen lots of wildlife on this run including cougars.
From the trail bridge at the put-in the action starts right away as you head down a long straightaway and then reach the first and biggest rapid on the run. This drop has a blind corner as the river takes a sweeping turn to the left and then back to the right behind a big rock and finishing off with a ledge that is not visible from upstream. You can get a good view by committing to the first part of the drop and grabbing an eddy near the top on river left where you can hop out for a quick scout. Wood can be an issue on this run especially in the first couple miles.
From this point on, most all of the drops can be easily boat scouted and you will encounter plenty of great continous class IV rapids all the way to Storm Creek. Once you pass Storm Creek the whitewater transitions to more class III/IV. The whitewater is still continuous but drops are a bit more spaced out and the increased flow provides a more open feel with more options.
After a couple miles the river backs off to fun class III--but keep an eye out for boat-grabbing holes--and once you are into the class II you will know that you are nearing the take-out where the river joins the Crooked Fork to become the Lochsa.
Logistics: This is a long 16 mile shuttle on
...River Features
Colt Creek Trailhead Put-In
The Forest Service Colt Creek Trailhead is located where Forest Road 359 terminates at the river. From the take-out bridge, head left towards Elk Summit on Forest Road 111. In 5.4 miles from Highway 12 you will reach a junction where you will turn right onto Forest Road 360 continuing on up towards Elk Summit. At mile 8.4 you will reach Savage Pass, the highest point on the shuttle drive at 6168' (this may be snowed in through late June in heavy snow years). At this point you will be headed back downhill and at 11.1 miles from Highway 12 you will reach the turn off for Forest Road 359 which is the road to the Colt Creek Trailhead. Turn left onto this road and wind your way 5.4 miles down to the river. The road ends at the trail bridge crossing White Sand Creek which is the put-in. Forest Road 359 is steep and prone to washouts so you may not be able to drive all the way down to the river. When you can it typically requires a high-clearance vehicle. Another option, popular with packrafters, is to skip the drive and hike up Forest Service trail 50 that parallels river right the whole way.
Storm Creek Confluence
The confluence where Storm Creek joins Colt Killed Creek. The rapids transition here and ease up a bit. For packrafters hiking up on Forest Service Trail 50 the approximately 10 miles from the take-out, this is a good starting point or you can continue on up the trail for more challenging whitewater.
Colt Killed Creek Bridge Take-Out
The take out at the bridge over Colt Killed Creek is just upstream of the start of the Lochsa River. From Highway 12 mile 163.5 turn down the Forest Service road to White Sand Campground. It's 1.2 miles down to the bridges across the Crooked Fork and Colt Killed Creek which join to form the Lochsa.You can also continue a short distance on the Lochsa to White Sand Campground and easier low bank access.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPhotos of the take-out at the bridge across Colt Killed Creek.
Ran this river on 6/26. Lochsa was around 4500 cfs. The flow was either the low side of medium or the high side of low. We had a few ducks under some logs near the put in, but other than that the run was in great shape. The road is washed out about 0.9 miles from the put in. It requires a shoulder past the wash out and then a drag the rest of the way down to the river. There are some logs down across the road beyond the wash out that require some climbing/crawling to pass. All in all, it was a cool place to paddle.
29 June, 2019. Lochsa at 2100 cfs. Great fun, great eddy hopping, not too low at all. The road has slid/sloughed about a mile from the put-in. As of now you can get high-clearance vehicles over it (e.g. Tacoma), but if it is not repaired, it probably won't be manageable after next winter.
We did this run on June 23rd. We still had snow at the pass and had to dig a path for our vehicles. The Lochsa was at 7800 cfs which corresponded to a great level for this creek. Lots of great fluffy class IV but still plenty of eddies on the side to catch your breath. At this flow, the class II at the end moved really quickly. We encountered some wood that was in play but it was all visible and easy to get around.
White Sands Creek is a beautiful river / creek flowing through a Roadless Area.
This photo was taken looking downstream from the put in.
Brian, Great idea on early take out and hike back, one I wish we had thought of, as the first 1/3 of the run is the best, the remaining 6-8 miles to regular take out at the bridge is long, not much excitement, but scenery is worth it.
Whitesands is a really fun run. Don't worry if you don't have 2 vehicles to run shuttle. We were able to leave our truck at the put-in, paddle the first four miles then take out at the Storm Creek pack bridge river right. The hike back was tough but do-able for sure. Great Idaho mini-adventure. The strainer was easily portaged.
This is part of the hike back to the putin from storm creek.
This is a pretty much manditory portage we came across. You might be able to limbo it but it's an easy walk.
rain.