Note that this is the run upstream of Jawbone Flat and it begins on Opal Creek proper then joing the Little North Santiam to finish at the Jawbone Flat bridge. The standard 'Opal Creek Run' is downstream of this run and is entirely on the Little North Santiam.
It is a three-ish mile hike to Jawbone, then another mile up the Kopetski Trail to a good put-in on Opal Creek. Take the time to scout the Narrows on the way up, it would be possible to unknowingly get swept into this mandatory portage if you did not know it was coming.
The run has a number of unique bedrock rapids that are pretty low stress, but oh so fun. There are two small waterfalls as well, both visible on the hike up.
1,500-2,000 cfs in the LN Santiam near Mehama is ideal. If there is snow on the trail the whole trip will be less enjoyable than a dry banks trip.
More Info
Exploratory Trip Report from
Oregon Kayaking
A 2014 report from
into the outside