|
|
| Grandjean
|
Avg Rating:
Current Rating
Total Votes:
no votes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Grandjean section of the South Fork of the Payette River is composed of class III-IV whitewater. Typically run during the months of May, June, and July. Amazing scenery with riverside hot springs and free camping. Keep your eyes open for wood.
At approximately 33.5 miles long and mostly road side, one can pick and choose sections according to flows, skill and time.
UPPER SECTION-Sacajawea Hot Springs (5012ft, mile 0) to Highway 21 @ Warm Springs Creek (4600ft, mile 8.5)
The upper section tends to have it's fair share of wood/log jams, so keep your eyes open and scout around blind corners and blind drops. Small craft recommended. Treat this section as class IV due to wood danger and remoteness. This section is less frequently run than the other sections of the Grandjean, and has a wilderness feel to it.
I recommend running this section at 1000 CFS and above to avoid scraping bottom for the whole day.
From the highest recommended put in at Sacajawea Hot Springs (log jam hell upstream), swift water with midstream rocks accelerates into a short granite mini-gorge with rocks, and holes/pour overs and a nice rapid (scout from shuttle road for wood).
Shortly after is a concrete bridge (alternate put in if gorge is log filled). From here to Canyon Creek, the river is generally wide with swift water, consistent gradient and mellow fun rapids providing ample time to enjoy the seclusion, wildlife and scenery.
Just above Canyon Creek Confluence, the river pinches, the granite rises up some into a steep constriction. The drop frequently collects wood so scout before the walls close in. This drop is visible and scoutable from shuttle road.
Shortly after, Highway 21 comes into view above on river right and one can take out when the road drops to river level...on continue on downstream to the Warm Springs Creek Confluence.
MIDDLE SECTION-Warm Springs Creek (4600ft) Mile 8.5 to Ten Mile Creek Road NF 086 (4323 ft, mile 15.5) to NF 542/Archie CR RD Bridge(4015ft, mile 23.5)
From the area of Warm Springs Creek and Bonneville Hot Springs down to NF Road 542 (Archie Creek Road Bridge), the river is accessible from Highway 21 and runs can be whatever length one pleases to due the ease of access and egress.
Most of the river is road scout-able, but be aware of the sections not visible. Logjams and trees still collect in this section...and tend to due so where not visible from the road. Scout blind corners and blind drops.
An occasional granite constriction will be found, but mostly expect wide mellow fun rapids, and great scenery.
Great free camping will be found throughout this section.
MIDDLE LOWER SECTION- WAKE UP RAPID RUN -FR542/Archie CR RD Bridge (4015ft, mile 23.5) to Kirkham Hot Springs (3945ft, mile 25.5)
I've decided to single out this small section, since it is my favorite run on the Grandjean for a quick fix of whitewater. This 2 mile section from the bridge on Forest Road 542 (Archie Creek Road)(the 1st bridge encountered above Kirkham) down to Kirkham Campground is a nice section to do if camping in the area. It is a great section to sneak in after running The Canyon or Swirley Canyon...or if you are passing through and don't have time for much else but need a quick whitewater fix. And the best part is, the run ends at Kirkham Hot Springs, so a soak is just a shuttle driver away!
The major rapids on the lower run, Wake Up, Whangdoodle Creek and Kirkham Gorge, are road side and road scout able. These constricted granitic rapids are atypical of the majority of rapids on the Grandjean, which are generally wider and mellower. These drops are semi technical at low flow, but can get juicy and pushy (but still fun) at high flow. Pre-scout these drops as wood occasionally collects in the constrictions.
After your soak, drive 1/2 mile downstream, stop in the burg of Haven at the diner and get a Huckleberry Ice Cream cone (huge!) and say hi to Marla.
LOWER GRANDJEAN: Kirkham Hot Springs (3945ft, mile 25.5) to Loman Hwy 21 Bridge (3780 ft, mile 30.5)to Deadwood River Confluence (3670ft, mile 33.5)
From Kirkham to the Deadwood confluence, the river is mostly visible from the road. A few miles from Kirkham, one more granite constriction is found just above the forest service visitor center downstream of Haven and can be scouted for wood from a pull out on Highway 21.
The Highway 21 bridge at Loman is a possible take out. This bridge could also be a put in for a longer day when combined with a run down The Canyon. Parking could be an issue here. From Loman to The Deadwood Confluence, expect intermittent class 3 water. Take out just upstream of the confluence with the Deadwood River.
|
Wake Up! Rapid, Lower Grandjean
Photographer:Daniel Anderson
|
| Disclaimer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Show Large Images
| | Put-In
Anywhere along Highway 21. To get to the put-in at the top at Sacajawea Hot Springs at Grandjean, from Loman, drive upstream along Idaho Hwy 21 and bear right on USFS Road 524, some 20 miles above Lowman, near milepost 94. Continue down the road and follow along the river to Sacajawea Hot Springs. |  | Wake Up Rapid Class IV-
A nice semi technical constriction with a fun wave/hole at bottom. Meander around rocks/holes and brace into the one big drop at bottom. Juicy and big at high flows. Pre-Scout for wood! |  | Whangdoodle Creek Rapid Class III
Constriction drop with lateral wave or hole and protruding rock on left to miss. Push and bigger at high flow. Pre-Scout for wood. |  | Kirkham Gorge Class IV-
Constriction below Kirkham Campground Bridge. Multiple small drops leading to tight almost 90 degree bend to left, ending with steep wave train at hot springs. Pushy and big at high flows, semi technical and fun at low flows. Wave wheel in the final wave train for the soaking tourists. Pre-scout for wood! | | | Take-Out
To get to the take-out head to Mountain View Campground, located a few miles east of Lowman off Hwy 21. or any other roadside access depending on desired trip length. |
Add Rapid
|
|
|
|
|
