Middle Fork Salmon River - Rapids

Rapids

The Middle Fork has three hundred rateable rapids. Some of the well-known rapids on the Middle Fork are Dagger Falls, Sulphur Slide, Velvet Falls, the Chutes, Power House, Pistol Creek, Tappan Falls, Red side, Weber, Cliffside, Rubber, Hancock and Devil's Tooth. All but one of these are class III+ to class IV (on a scale of I to VI), with Dagger Falls being class V. Dagger Falls is just above the put-in of the Middle Fork which is on Boundary Creek. It is runnable on the left above 3 feet, but best at 6–8 feet. Velvet Falls, a class IV, has a recirculating ledge hole in the middle at some levels. To avoid danger take the left side. Velvet Falls gets its name from the small stream, Velvet Creek, flowing in on river right immediately above the drop, which refers to the velvet-like layer on developing antlers of deer and elk. (Other nearby streams include Elk Horn, Buck Horn and Ram's Horn.) Power House is a class IV where you have to pick your way through gaps and at the same time not get stuck on rocks or driven into the wall on river right, especially in higher water. Near mile 20, the river makes an S turn which is called Pistol Creek, a class IV. A person must make sure that they don't let the water slam them on the last turn of the S. Tappan Falls (class IV) should be run right of center to avoid a recirculating hole in the middle. It is a straight shot and hard paddling must also occur. At Red Side (class IV) there is a big rock in the river and the river is trying to push you into the rock. In high water, sneak far right. In low water, enter center and run far left of the wrap rock. Weber (class IV) is known for the big holes of whitewater that it makes. Angle to left bank in higher water to square up on laterals. Make sure when entering the rapid to hit with speed and keep the boat straight. Cliffside (class III+) is a big wave train that pushes you into the side of the cliff. Rubber (class III+) has very big waves. Keep the boat straight to laterals same as Weber and avoid the rock on the right side. Both Rubber and Weber are biggest at 4–5 feet of water. Hancock (class III+) can be rocky at the top; the river goes right and one has to hit the wave train straight. At Devil's Tooth (class III+) put the boat into a small gap to avoid flipping. After going through the gap, turn the boat straight.

All of theses rapids change significantly with water level. See the Forest Service guide book for complete details.