11. Ishi Pishi Bridge to Dolans Bar

This is a great pool-drop section of whitewater on the Klamath River (Karuk: ishkêesh) that flows throughout the year. Nearly all of the whitewater is in the upper half of the run, leaving the section from Super Ike to Dolans Bar as a scenic float with a few riffles to help keep pace. During mid-summer and fall, flows tend to be around 1,200 cfs, providing a casual pace trip with mostly class III rapids. In winter and spring, flows are often much higher (4,000 to 15,000 cfs or more) and the larger rapids in the upper half of this run are not unlike those found in the Grand Canyon; it gets big but everything is runnable and the pace is fast though unforgiving of any swims. Foremost, river users should know that this section of river and the adjoining section on the Salmon River (Karuk: masúshav) hold deep spiritual significance for members of the Karuk Tribe. This area and the river is sometimes closed in summer to provide the sanctity and privacy needed for annual tribal ceremonies. Even when not closed, river users should act with respect and reverence for this special place and the meaning it holds for Indigenous people. You are visiting the heart of Karuk territory, and it is Karuk land from Ishi Pishi Falls to Big Ike, including the put-in at the Ishi Pishi River Access. Upon enactment of the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act on January 5, 2023, the land surrounding the confluence of the Salmon and Klamath rivers was officially returned to the Karuk Tribe and it is no longer public national forest land. The Tribe is now able to use this sacred land according to their customary uses and will enact closures during ceremonies. Please be extra respectful when floating through these lands or when accessing the river at the Ishi Pishi bridge take-out for this run: you are on returned Native land. The whitewater action begins right away below the Ishi Pishi River Access at the confluence of the Salmon and Klamath rivers with a fast rapid that pushes along the river right wall before straightening out into a long wave train. After several smaller rapids, some large mid-river rocks at the bottom of pool and some old bridge wreckage on the right bank indicate the start of Little Ike. Just as the current slackens from Little Ike, the river takes a sharp left bend and Big Ike abruptly appears on the horizon line. The pool-drop pace keeps up after Big Ike with the K-Wave, several unnamed rapids of decent size, and, finally with Super Ike. The canyon is tight and vertical-walled after Big Ike to the downstream end of the long flatwater pool after Super Ike, and there is no reasonable way out except by river. The river abruptly flattens out after Super Ike as it flows through a narrow gorge of metamorphic rock with small, wind-blown sand dunes tucked into the alcoves. It is possible to walk out of the river canyon on river left at Whitmore Creek, at the first right-hand bend after the flatwater gorge but the trail is often so overgrown that it can be hard to find. The poison oak and blackberries can be thick. Most paddlers continue another few miles to Dolans Bar River Access which has vehicle access (remove valuables and lock your vehicle when parking here). The run can be extended past Dolans Bar, all the way to the Pacific Ocean in another 64 miles. Alternately, the run can be started on the lower Salmon River when that river is flowing during winter, spring, and (sometimes) early summer so long as closures for ceremonies are not in effect. Ceremonial Use of the Klamath River and Temporary Closures in Summer Each summer, the Karuk Tribe conducts important ceremonial practices along the Klamath and lower Salmon rivers. During these times, the Tribe asks for privacy on specific stretches of the rivers and at certain river access sites. While the U.S. Forest Service issues official closure orders to help support this need, those orders alone do not fully reflect the Tribe’s need for uninterrupted privacy during ceremonies. As this relates to the Ikes Run, the entire run is effectively closed to boating during ceremonies. To honor and respect these cultural traditions: - Do not put in at George Geary River Access on the lower Salmon River and do not float from any access on the Salmon River to join the Klamath River during ceremonies (September 17-26, 2025). - Green Riffle River Access on the Klamath River is always a mandatory take-out; do not float past this point and never attempt to run Ishi Pishi Falls. Additionally, Green Riffle is closed by forest order during ceremonies (September 17-26, 2025). - Do not use the Ishi Pishi River Access or surrounding areas on the Klamath or Salmon rivers during ceremonies (September 17-26, 2025). - Do not use the Ikes Falls River Access during ceremonies (September 17-26, 2025). - Taken together, the Ikes Run is effectively closed to boating during ceremonies (September 17-26, 2025). Please plan your trip accordingly and honor the Tribe’s request for privacy during these sacred ceremonies. Your cooperation shows respect for the river and those with deep ancestral ties to it. The Forest Service's closure orders for 2025 are posted on the Klamath National Forest website alert page as three separate orders: \#25-05-01, \#25-05-02, and \#25-05-03 and 10-25-04. Again, these orders do not fully provide for the necessary privacy, so please be sure to follow the guidelines above in addition to the orders. Logistics Ishi Pishi Bridge River Access, Somes Bar: From Highway 96 mile 0.5 at the Salmon River Outpost turn down Ishi Pishi Road and travel approximately 1/2 mile and cross the Klamath River on Ishi Pishi bridge. On the upstream river right side of the bridge, take the gravel road that goes under the bridge to end across from the confluence with the Salmon River. This is the standard put-in and the first available public access downstream of Ishi Pishi Falls which, in addition to being a dangerous rapid, is off-limits to all boating and visitation out of respect for Native American rights and tradition. There is very limited parking at this river access and it is a sensitive cultural area, so please unload boats and gear then park your vehicle in the large pullout on Ishi Pishi Road a short distance past the bridge. Ikes Falls River Access: This access is located at Highway 96 mile mile 43.7. It is down a 0.5-mile long fairly steep dirt road leading down to the Klamath River just below Ikes Falls (Big Ike). It provides an opportunity to scout the general character of the whitewater but is midway through the best whitewater. High clearance vehicles are recommended. This is the access for the K-Wave that provides superb playboating at high flows (11,000 cfs at the Orleans gage is prime). Dolans Bar Access: This access is located approximately one and a half miles upriver from Orleans at Highway 96 mile 39.9. The site provides access for motorized and non-motorized boaters and anglers with good vehicle access at the upstream end of the river bar. The expansive river bar provides plenty of area to park a car or camp. A vault toilet is provided and there is a dispersed campsite on the downriver end of the bar but no potable water is available. Secure valuables: car break-ins are not uncommon here. Amenities: the Salmon River Outpost in Somes Bar is a small, well-stocked general store and WiFi is available. There is gas in Orleans (closed Sunday, no gas after hours other days) and a small grocery store with amazing Indian food, and a tribal clinic. There is no cell service in the area.