K’íka·c’é·ki Falls

K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon is spectacular from start to finish, building to a crescendo before its walls part and the river finally relaxes. K’íka·c’é·ki Falls is the final—and perhaps the most challenging—rapid in the canyon. It has changed considerably since flow was restored in 2024 and has, for the most part, become easier. It’s easy to recognize, sitting immediately upstream of the old Copco 2 powerhouse and switchyard. Scouting is difficult from either bank, and portaging is hindered by dense blackberry thickets, though river left is somewhat more manageable.

The rapid has two distinct drops separated by a short pool. At medium and higher flows, the upper ledge can be run left of center, where it forms a three-foot vertical drop. At lower flows, the preferred line moves to river right, where the gradient is more gradual and leads into a small eddy right above the entry to the main drop. Regardless of your line on the upper ledge, enter the main drop with speed and intention.

The best line is generally down the center, finishing toward river right. A sizeable hole left of center can tail-stand a kayak. Just downstream is a larger hole spanning most of the river. You can either drive through it or move quickly right to just barely miss it. This hole was once quite powerful but has mellowed substantially as the rapid has evolved following dam removal.

The main drop feeds directly into the runout pool, marking the end of K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon. The decommissioned Copco 2 Powerhouse, the only major remaining structure from the hydropower project, stands on river left.

K’íka·c’é·ki is the Shasta name for the broader region through which this reach of the Klamath flows (also known historically as Bogus Country, after headman Bogus Tom). Although short, K’íka·c’é·ki Falls is the steepest rapid in the canyon—and perhaps on the entire K’íka·c’é·ki reach—making it a fitting finale.