Dearborn

Beautiful section to float as the river comes out of the mountains of the upper Dearborn.  The river has a few class 2-3 sections above the high bridge (Stearns-Augusta road) but is fairly small and flows mostly through cottonwood bottoms with short canyon sections.  There are a few options to put in on this section, the high bridge requires a short (200 yard) walk down to the river and there is limited parking.  The upper option has a little more room and is an easier put in (Dearborn canyon road) for bigger boats.

From the high bridge downstream it is class 1-2 and is mostly cottonwood bottoms and somewhat open with a few cool cliff walls.  At approximately 8 miles from the Dearborn Canyon road put in, there is a large bedrock shelf that the river pours over.  It is possible to run in small craft and rafts, but a scout is recommended.  Estimated rating would be a class 3+ depending on water level.  There is a portage for this rapid on river left.

Downstream of the ledge rapid is mostly class 1-2 with some easy class 3 boulder gardens.  River section is fairly open with cottonwood bottoms and foothills.  As of 2024 no barbed wire or fences across the river.