Flows: If you are looking for good whitewater, go on a day when the gauge is not going to dip much below 1,000 cfs. It can be done lower, but the quality drops off. If levels are not low, Little Fluffy will have a serious hole.
FS Rd 165 to Black Creek: Read the
Trip Report from Oregonkayaking (this is what Jason refers to as the "Upper Three Miles") and decide if it sounds right for you. If this section looks low, the next section (below Black Creek) might still have enough water. The part above Black Creek is probably too low if the gauge is below 1,000 cfs.
Black Creek to White Creek Campground: The most classic section of the Little River is from Black Creek to White Creek Campground. If using this put in and flows are not low, it makes the most sense to put in on Black Creek (as opposed to the Little River). You can start the day with a narrow chute into the Little River, or portage on the left and put in just above a nice ledge below the confluence. Scout the situation from the bridges and the nose of land between the streams.
This part of the Little River consists of quality class IV rapids seperated by class II-III rapids and short pools at medium flows. There are plenty of eddies where needed, but the vertical walls give a more serious feel than runs of similar difficulty (i.e.
Classic Opal,
Copeland Creek, or
Brice Creek). It might be nice to have someone along who knows the run or is comfortable with boat scouting if the group is apprehensive. Though it is possible to shore scout your way down. This nature keeps up for the majority of this section and makes for good kayaking.
The final section of whitewater is the crux of the run. Starting with Little Ugly, a short and deceptively tricky rapid at some flows (though not particularly dangerous), and finishing with Little Fluffy (a ten foot falls with a dangerous hole at high water) and then a walled in ramp.
Check the photo tab so you can recognize Little Ugly. There is one short rapid that resembles a ramp between here and Little Fluffy. If the water is high, it is better to get out before the ramp rapid. If water is low, you can run the ramp rapid and scramble into the closest thing resembling an eddy on the left above Little Fluffy, which you will want to scout.
Little Fluffy is straight forward, with a nice boof platform, but has a hole that becomes serious as the flow increases. Scout, set safety and portage on the left. Just downstream of the falls is the walled in ramp that can be scouted on the left, but not easily portaged. The diagonal hole at the base pushes strongly into the right wall, running middle or middle left with a strong right stroke at the bottom worked well at medium flows (1,100 cfs).
As you exit this gorge, the stream eases off and its a short bit of floating down to the take out bridge at White Creek Campground.
Hot Tip: Continuing downstream to either the next bridge or Emile Creek adds another fun rapid or two.
Video at 1240 CFS & peaking:
https://youtu.be/kMIyLrsDz6g and
800 CFS & dropping:
https://youtu.be/UTe8AtD1ZD4
Description and photos at Oregon Kayaking.