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Rapid CA Class IV

Kanaka Falls

Salmon, North Fork - Gallia Mine River Access to Forks of Salmon (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Salmon River a Somes Bar CA Downstream Primary
Runnable: 3,200.0 – 5,500.0 CFS

The NF Canyon can be run below 3200 cfs on the Somes Bar gauge but becomes increasingly technical and rocky. Above 5500 cfs, the run gets pushier but pads out

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Kanaka Falls
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

This is a long and fun granite boulder garden with an abundance of possible lines. It is visible from Sawyers Bar Road just upstream from the Red Bank Campground.

Be sure to hit the four-foot boof in the middle of this rapid; stern-first landings are the norm. The bottom third of the drop can be a bit chunky at medium and low flows, and the cleanest route is often found by staying on the left side of the channel (which may not seem intuitive).

There is a river access on the right at the bottom of the drop but boaters almost never use it because it only serves to cut the good whitewater short.

DO NOT ENTER THE RIVER LEFT SIDE CHANNEL BELOW KANAKA FALLS! There are numerous strainers blocking this smaller channel, most of which cannot be seen from the entry to the channel. Stick the the larger, obvious main channel on river right and boat past Red Bank Campground.

Red Bank Campground is about a half-mile below the drop on river right and is a fine place to camp for free (it has pit toilet and tables but no water or trash cans).

Location
Type
Rapid
Difficulty
Class IV
Mile Marker
2.4 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Gallia Mine River Access to Forks of Salmon
Salmon, North Fork
III-V 11.0 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater