Cascade Falls

Cascade Falls (aka Steelhead Falls), is a long, steep rapid with a multitude of lines depending on flow. 

Scout on the river left by getting out at the pool above the lead-in and taking the short, lightly used path downriver to the rock outcrop along the rapid (which can be slippery when wet and frosty in the winter). If you don't want to run it, the portage is on the far river right side and you'll still need to boat through the middle entry way to get there (a Class II move above a Class V drop)..

The classic line is down the left at the entry, through the ramp with a very slight right angle to punch breaking hole at the bottom, and then out to the center to finish the rapid. There's a fair potential to get typewritered left at the ramp hole, and this puts boats along the left wall, which can be tricky to escape from. If you don't manage to get away from the wall, stick to it all the way down and avoid the large hole (or large rock at lower flows) that lurks at the bottom left of this long line. This line is in at nearly all levels.

At medium-low to low-medium levels (1,500 - 3,500 cfs), various lines open up in the middle and middle right sides of the rapid. To get to these, you need to enter the lead-in near the center of the river and quickly move to the middle or right side where you can reset to choose your particular line. Beware that there are some sieves and undercuts in the bouldery middle line; these can be avoided, but be sure you know where you're going and don't beater here.

At higher flows (above 5,000 cfs) there is an obvious high boof in play. If there's enough water to paddle over the boof rock it's good, just make sure to launch from a spot without rocks below. If there's not enough water to go over the boof, there may be enough to run the upstream-angled slide line off the river left side of the boof rock to a 180º turn in the current below.

The farthest right narrow chute is usually run by rafts at medium to high flows. Rafts will need to ship oars to squeeze through. It works for kayaks and other craft too, but most will choose another route that is typically more fun and inviting.

There's a long pool below this rapid and before Achilles. There's also a river access point on the left near the bottom of this pool (Indian Bottom); the dirt road down to this spot is a rough and unmarked 4x4 road that connects to Salmon River Road near a little upstream of the 9-mile marker.