North Fork/South Fork to Little S.F. Kilchis River

This run is a beautiful coastal stream flowing through scenic river canyons with crystal clear water, deep pools, and thick Pacific Coastal Rainforest vegetation. The river features some nice class II and III whitewater. The run starts out at the confluence of the North and South Fork with a mini bedrock gorge featuring a fun series of class II and III rapids. The river soon opens up and flows through a beautiful forested river corridor--keep your eye out for elk. Just short of halfway into the run you cross under the Purcell Creek Road bridge. Downstream from this point the river flows through a fun series of class III pool drop rapids, a mixture of ledge drops and boulder gardens. The action tapers off and then Kilchis County Park appears on the right (you will recognize by the picnic tables and restrooms). The take-out is at the downstream end of the park where the Little South Fork joins the river on river left. Runs continuing downstream all the way to the coast are possible but the river quickly tapers off to a mellow float. Logistics: A forest road parallels the run that makes for easy shuttle logistics. From Highway 101 mile 63.1 turn on to Alderbrook Road. Cross the Kilchis River and then turn right at the T junction onto Kilchis River Road. Head up Kilchis River Road towards Kilchis County Park but before you reach the park turn off on to Kilchis Forest Road and cross the river so you are heading up on river left. At mile 2.7 on Kilchis River Road you will cross the Little South Fork. The take-out is a short hike from the road down to the confluence with the Kilchis and across the river for Kilchis County Park. To reach the put-in continue on upstream and at mile 9.2 bear left at the fork to stay along the river and at mile 9.5 you will cross the South Fork. Hike your boats down to the river just downstream of the confluence to begin the run.