Smith River National Recreation Area

MIDDLE FORK SMITH RIVER WATERSHED

LADO DEL RIO RUN

LENGTH: 4.1 MILES

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 to 3 (at medium flow)
(11.5'-16.5' at Jed Smith Gage)

PUT-IN: PANTHER FLAT

EVERYTHING PORTAGABLE? YES

AVERAGE GRADIENT: 44'/MILE

STREAM TYPE: POOL/DROP

TAKE-OUT: SIM'S CAMP

MID-RUN ACCESS: NORTH FORK

TRAVEL TIME TO PUT-IN FROM GASQUET: 5 MINUTES

The put-in is accessed via Hwy. 199. Drive to the day use area in Panther Flat Campground. The easier put-in is at the upper pool along the access road just upstream of the parking area. The take-out is at Sim's Camp on Hwy. 199 at the west (downstream) end of Gasquet Flat (on river left). An alternative take-out is adjacent to the twin intake pipes for the Gasquet water system adjacent to Middle Fork Road at the confluence with the North Fork Smith. This take-out will shorten the run by about two miles. Both access points are privately owned. Please be respectful of posted signs. Parking for both sites is along the paved road.

Rapids in this section of river are produced mostly by gravel bars. Boulder bar and bedrock produced rapids are very few. Instream, brush (located outside the main channel) is present for the majority of the run to the confluence with the North Fork Smith. Downstream of this the brush is minimal. Woody debris may be present. The largest rapid in this section (on a blind turn) is located about 200 yards downstream of the suspension bridge. It is wise to scout blind turns.

At low flow conditions the rapids will be shallow. Some rapids may be un-navigable due to minimal water conditions.

At high flow conditions the pools between the gravel bars tend to disappear. Strong currents may lead you into the brush on the first portion of the run. Be advised the outside area of the major blind turn downstream of the suspension bridge can be a 'catcher's mitt' for woody debris and unsuspecting boaters. Caution should be exercised when boating this section at these flows.

The proximity of the highway to the river makes evacuation relatively easy. Be advised that much of the land on either side of the river is privately owned. The nearest public telephone is in Gasquet.

SANDY CAMP RUM

LENGTH: 6.1 MILES

DIFFICULTY RATING: 3 (at medium flow)
(11.5'-16.5' at Jed Smith Gage)

PUT-IN: SANDY CAMP

EVERYTHING PORTAGABLE? YES

AVERAGE GRADIENT: 25'/MILE

STREAM TYPE: POOL/DROP

TAKE-OUT: SOUTH FORK GORGE

MID-RUN ACCESS: SEVERAL

TRAVEL TIME TO PUT-IN FROM GASQUET: 30 MINUTES

The put-in is accessed via South Fork Road. From Gasquet drive west (downstream) on Hwy. 199 to South Fork Road. Turn left, cross two bridges, bear left, and continue on for about 9 miles. After crossing two cement bridges that are close together, be watching for a short road on your left, about 0.5 mile upstream of the upper cement bridge. If you cross Rock Creek you have gone too far. The take-out is at the top of South Fork Gorge. It is located about 2 miles upstream of the mouth of the South Fork. It is the first large parking area (on a sharp bend in the road) upstream of the mouth. A short trail at the upstream end of the parking lot accesses the river.

Rapids in this section of river are largely boulder bar and gravel bar produced. The rapids are fairly short with plenty of pool in between. The only real bedrock rapid is located about a half mile from the takeout. It can be seen from the road. The biggest beaches on the river are located here. Woody debris may be present. It is important to scout the take-out. Failure to recognize the take-out from the river will result in the mandatory navigation of the Class 4-5 South Fork Gorge.

At low flow conditions the rapids will be shallow. Routes will be more constricted than at higher flows. Some rapids may be un-navigable due to minimal water conditions.

At high flow conditions hydraulics can be strong and waves can be large. There will likely be a large reversal or two. Caution should be exercised when boating this section at these flows.

Even though the canyon in portions of this section is steep, the proximity of South Fork Road to the river makes evacuation relatively easy. If a mishap occurs and you need to evacuate, hike up the hill on river left at the first convenient location and attain South Fork Road.

UPPER SOUTH RUN

LENGTH: 6.5 MILES

DIFFICULTY RATING: 4 to 5 (at medium flow)
(11.5'-16.5' at Jed Smith Gage)

PUT-IN: SOUTH KELSEY TRAIL

EVERYTHING PORTAGABLE? YES

AVERAGE GRADIENT: 62'/MILE

STREAM TYPE: POOL/DROP

TAKE-OUT: STEVEN BRIDGE MID-RUN ACCESS: NONE

TRAVEL TIME TO PUT-IN FROM GASQUET: 1.25 HOURS

The put-in is accessed via the Gasquet-Orleans (GO) Road. From Gasquet drive west (downstream) and turn left onto South Fork Road. Continue on up the South Fork Smith about 15 miles and turn right onto the GO road. About 3 miles up the road turn left onto the 15N39 road and drive to the trailhead. Walk down the trail and bear right (upstream) at the fork. The river can be accessed via a steep, unimproved trail located adjacent to a large fir tree about 100 yards upstream of the fork in the South Kelsey Trail.

The take-out is at Steven Bridge on South Fork Road. It is the single lane green bridge about two miles downstream of the GO road. Parking is in the wide area on the northeast side of the bridge. The access trail is located across the road from the entrance to the parking area.

The rapids in this run are largely boulder bar produced. This section contains Upper South Fork Gorge (average gradient of (65'/mile). Downstream of the gorge the gradient lessens and rapids become gravel bar produced. The bigger rapids are characterized by steep entrances and wave train washouts. Complex maneuvering around large boulders, wood, and large reversals can be expected. Some wood may be submerged in the larger rapids. The biggest rapid (Island) and the gorge start at the big logjam in the middle of the channel. This section requires expert boat handling and water reading skill.

At low flow conditions routes become more constricted and some rapids may become un-navigable. Larger rapids will be steeper than at higher flows. Maneuvering around obstacles will be more complex.

At high flow conditions hydraulics will be strong, pools and eddies will be small, and obstacles may be difficult to avoid. There will be several large reversals. Extreme caution should be exercised when boating this section at these flows.

This section is rather remote. The surrounding country is steep and rugged. Evacuation upstream of the gorge is best accomplished by hiking upstream on river left to the South Kelsey Trailhead. Once in the gorge it is likely best to follow the river downstream to a road. Walking either bank will get you to a road.