Salmon River - Corn Creek to Vinegar Creek/Carey Creek (Main Salmon)

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Description

This is the river of no return. Besides the Middle Fork this should be on your todo list before you die. Many awesome camps, rapids and points of interest. See info below for specifics.

Statistics

Author
Class	III to IV
Current Flow	39400.0 CFS 05-19-2024 12:45 View River Forecast
Alternative Flow ([MIDDLE FORK SALMON RIVER AT MOUTH NR SHOUP ID] + [SALMON RIVER NR SHOUP ID])	17380.0 CFS 05-19-2024 20:02
Recommended Flow	Minimum: 4000.0 Average: 20000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Typical Season	Begins: January Ends: December
Recommended Use	Kayaking: Yes Rafting: Yes Canoeing: Yes SUP: No Packrafting: No Fishing: Yes
Primary Gauge	SALMON RIVER AT WHITE BIRD ID
Length	79.0 Mile(s)
Gradient	FPM

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Main Salmon at Corn Creek

09-13-2012 - A smokey canyon from the fires

Permit Agency Name	USFS and rec.gov
Permit Agency Phone Number	208-865-2700
Permit Agency Address	US Forest Service North Fork Ranger District PO Box 180 North Fork, ID 83466 Phone: 208-865-2700
Permit Information	Permits are non-transferable. Permit Holder must be 18 years old by the launch date. Permit Holder must be on the trip for entire duration of the float.
Permit Regulations and Required River Gear	Required equipment: Porta-potty Fire pan Ash Container Mesh Strainer Shovel Bucket Group Size and Trip Length: During the Lottery Control Season, (June 20-September 7) group size determines trip length: Commercial Trips: Group Size (21-30) - Maximum Trip Length : 6 Days (5 nights) Group Size (11-20) - Maximum Trip Length : 7 Days (6 nights) Group Size (1-10) - Maximum Trip Length : 8 Days (7 nights) Non-Commercial Trips: Group Size (21-30) - Maximum Trip Length : 6 Days (5 nights) Group Size (11-20) - Maximum Trip Length : 7 Days (6 nights) Group Size (1-10) - Maximum Trip Length : 8 Days (7 nights) Outside the Lottery Control Season the maximum group size is 30 and the maximum trip length is 10 days.
Permit Agency URL	http://www.recreation.gov/permits/Salmon_River_4_Rivers/r/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=detail&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75533
Application Deadline	February 1
Application Fee	$6.00
Permit Fee

Type	Name	Description	Camping?	Water?	Boat Ramp?	Vehicle Access
Put-In	Corn Creek Ramp	There is a nice paved ramp at Corn Creek. Camping and water are available here. There is also a ranger station here so check in with the river rangers.	Yes	Yes	Yes	All Vehicles
Take-Out	Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp	There are 2 or 3 concrete ramps here along with pit toilets	No	No	Yes	All Vehicles
Take-Out	Carey Creek Ramp	Land river left just below the pack bridge on a concrete ramp.	No	No	Yes	All Vehicles

Rapid Name	Description	Scout	Class	Recommended Flow
Kitchen Creek Rapid	This is a newer rapid that formed in the early 2000's.	Scout from the road on river right	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Proctor Creek Rapid	A straight forward rapid.	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Unnamed Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Killum Rapid	Run right or follow the main V tongue.	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Gunbarrel Rapid	A straight forward rapid. Watch for rocks at lower levels.	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Horse Creek Rapid	A minor rapid here from the debris fan of Horse Creek	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Stub Creek Rapid	A minor class II rapid	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Ranier Rapid	At lower flows steer clear of the rock and hole near the center of the river. At higher flows the hole washes out. This is the first class III rapid on the main salmon stretch.	Read and run	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Alder Creek Rapid	This is a newer rapid that formed in 2011.	Scout on river left from the Alder Creek Camp (if you want).	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Lantz Rapid	A large ledge is at the bottom right of this rapid.	Read and run or scout from Lantz Bar.	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Devils Teeth Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Little Devils Teeth Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Salmon Falls Rapid	This used to be one of the biggest drops on the Main Salmon. But due to a blowout in Black Creek rapid down river, this rapid has been flooded out and is not mostly a class II riffle. Unless Black Creek changes in the future there's not much here anymore.	Read and run	II- to II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Black Creek Rapid	This rapid is still evolving over time. Most flows you can run the main tongue towards river left, pulling from the right to the left.	Scoiut from the left bank.	III to IV	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Sabe Creek Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Barth Rapid	Another easy class II on the Main	Read and run	II	Minimum: 3000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Hancock Rapid	River widens and shallows here. Left channel is pretty boney. Most go right where the current is deeper.	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Masie's Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Bailey Rapid	Run the main tongue down the center. When scouting, check for a large hydraulic hole that can form at lower water levels in the main tongue line. Pull appropriately to avoid it if it's there.	Scout from the right bank	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Allison Ranch Rapid	Class II	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Sapp Creek Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Five Mile Rapid	Large holes can form on this rapid at high flows.	Read and run	III to III+	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Split Rock Rapid	Rocks line the center of the river and split the main rapid tongues. Go right of the rocks (which can be submerged at high water levels)	Read and run	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Stinker Rapid	Rocky at low flows	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Big Mallard Rapid	Run far left close to the river bank to avoid holes in the main tongue.	Scout from river right at lower yellow pine camp.	III to IV	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Little Mallard Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Elkhorn Rapid	This rapid begins with a large rock in the center of the river. Choose which side to run relative to the rock and then boulder dodge your way through the rest of the rapid. At swifter flows avoid getting wrapped or pinballed of any of the big rocks in the river here.	Scout from the left bank.	III to IV	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Elkhorn Big Rock Rapid	There is a large rock at the bottom of the Elkhorn Rapid. Huge holes can form behind this rock. Best to avoid the rock at all levels. Class II+ on either side of the rock and Class IV is you decide to go over or on it.	Read and run	II+ to IV	Minimum: 3000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Growler Rapid	A rocky boulder rapid at low flows	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Whiplash Rapid	This rapid gets harder at higher flows.	Land at the top of groundhog bar on river right and hike down to scout.	III to III+	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Reed Creek Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
China Bar Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Unnamed Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Big Blowout Creek Rapid	A long stretch of easy Class II here.	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Boise Bar Rapid	Watch for a hole at the end of this rapid. Otherwise straight forward.	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Jackson Bar Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Ludwig Rapid	This area is rocky at low water. Most of the deeper currents run left of center.	Read and run	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Mann Creek Rapid	A run down the center with a rock dodge or two is usually the run of choice	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Warren Creek Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
James Ranch Rapid	Run the wave train right of center	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Pete's Rock Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Bull Creek Rapid	Follow the main wave train down the center	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Cottontail Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Can Opener Rapid	At lower water there is a sharp rock in the center of this rapid that gives the rapid it's name	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
T-Bone Creek Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Dried Meat Rapid	Run down the center	Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Chittam Rapid	Follow the tongue into the rapid and pull right	Scout from the right bank	III	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Vinegar Rapid	Run the main wave tongue and watch for large waves and holes.	Scout from the right bank	III to IV	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Boulders Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0
Carey Falls Rapid		Read and run	II	Minimum: 4000.0 Maximum: 35000.0

Camp Name	Description	Fee?	Beach?
Camp #1	River left.	No	Yes
Camp #2	river left	No	Yes
Camp #3	River left	No	Yes
Camp #4	On river right	No	Yes
Camp #5	River left	No	Yes
Horse Creek Camp	River right just above Horse Creek outlet. This is a larger camp	No	Yes
Bridge Piling Camp	On river left just below Horse Creek Rapid	No	Yes
Legend Creek Camp	A very nice large beach camp on river right	No	Yes
Spindle Creek Camp	A small, shadeless camp on river right.	No	Yes
Phantom Camp	2 beach camps are on river right here.	No	Yes
Alder Creek Camp	A large beach camp on river left.	No	Yes
Otter Beach Camp	River left.	No	Yes
Fawn Creek Camp	River right	No	Yes
Upper Lantz Bar Camp	River right.	No	Yes
Lower Lantz Bar Camp	River right, right above the rapid.	No	Yes
Disappointement Creek Camp	A large bench camp on river left.	No	No
Upper Devils Teeth Camp	On river right	No	Yes
Lower Devils Teeth Camp	Large beach camp on river left.	No	Yes
Overhang Camp	A small beach camp on river right.	No	Yes
Elkhorn Creek Camp	River right	No	No
Chamberlain Creek Camp	River left	No	No
Chukar Beach Camp	Beach camp on river right.	No	Yes
Blackadar Camp	A nive large beach with ponderosas lining the back for shade.	No	Yes
Motor Camp	Another large camp. On river left. Named after motor debris left on the beach	No	Yes
Big Squaw	River right	No	Yes
Corey Bar Camp	River right	No	No
Lower Corey Bar Camp	River right	No	No
Pebble Beach	River left	No	No
Black Canyon Beach Camp	Small camp on river right	No	Yes
Sunny Bar Camp	A rocky beach camp on river right	No	No
Hot Springs Camp	A bench camp on river left just below the hot springs. There aren't any pools to soak in but the springs coming out of the hill are hot.	No	No
Barth Camp	A larger camp on river left.	No	No
Sandy Hole Camp	A nice beach on river right with some ponderosa shade to boot.	No	Yes
Poor Bar Camp	River left camp. Hard to use at lower water levels.	No	No
Nixon Bar Camp	A rocky beach and bench camp. Not used much due to it's unfriendly camp features and landing.	No	No
Bruin Bar Camp	Larger camp on river left.	No	Yes
Hancock Camp	A nice camp on river left. Poor camping options after this camp for the next few miles on the river.	No	Yes
Magpie Creek Camp	A very nice, very large beach camp on river left.	No	Yes
Hida Creek Camp	River left	No	No
Bargamin Creek Camp	Large beach camp on river right.	No	Yes
Bailey Bar Camp	River right	No	Yes
Upper Allison Ranch Camp	River right	No	Yes
Allison Ranch Camp	Very nice large beach on river right.	No	Yes
Lower Richardson Bar Camp	River left. Bench camp.	No	No
Upper Yellow Pine Camp	River right	No	No
Lower Yellow Pine Camp	River right just below the upper camp	No	No
Big Mallard Camp	Large shady camp on river right	No	No
Oakie's Camp	Small camp on river left	No	Yes
Boiler Hole Camp	River right	No	No
Hermit Hanks Camp	Large bench camp on river left.	No	No
Little Trout Creek Camp	River left	No	Yes
Easter Egg Camp	river left	No	No
Jim Moore Camp	River right	No	No
Ruff Creek Camp	River left	No	No
Groundhog Bar Camp	A large sandy beach on river right. Hard to pull in to at high water flows.	No	Yes
Reed Creek Camp	Large camp on river right at the base of the rapid	No	Yes
Gaines Bar Camp	River right	No	Yes
Rhett Creek Camp	River right	No	Yes
Paine Creek	River right	No	Yes
Boise Bar Camp	River right	No	Yes
No Man's Creek Camp	Smaller camp on river right	No	No
Teepee Creek Camp	River right	No	No
Fivemile Creek Camp	A small low water level camp on river left next to a small cliff.	No	Yes
Pebble Beach Camp	A large bench camp on river left.	No	No
Haynie Bar Camp	River left	No	Yes
Bluebird Hole Camp	River right	No	No
Mackay Bar Bridge Camp	A large shadeless camp on river right just below the pack bridge.	No	Yes
Dead Man Camp	River left.	No	No
South Fork Island Camp	Shadeless camp on a small island where the south fork of the Salmon meets the main.	No	No
Cove Creek Camp	Small camp on river left	No	Yes
Red Harlan Camp	River right	No	Yes
Upper Pine Tree Hole Camp	River left.	No	Yes
Lower Pine Tree Hole Camp	Shadeless camp on river right.	No	Yes
Hungry Bar Camp	River right	No	Yes
Mann Creek Camp	A large beach camp on river left.	No	Yes
Warren Creek Camp	River left	No	Yes
Swimming Hole Camp	A very large shadeless camp on river right. A nice pool above the camp provides the swimming opportunity here.	No	Yes
Indian Creek Bar Camp	River right	No	Yes
Upper James Creek Camp	River left	No	Yes
Rabbit Creek Camp	A large beach camp on river left	No	Yes
Alex Meadows Camp	River right	No	Yes
Basin Creek Camp	River right	No	No
Whiskey Bob Creek Camp	Small camp on river right	No	Yes
Upper Bull Creek Camp	Large camp on river right	No	Yes
Lower Bull Creek Camp	Another large beach camp on river right	No	Yes
Gold Rush Bar Camp	Low water camp on river right	No	No
California Creek Camp	Large beach camp on river left	No	Yes
T-Bone Creek Camp	River right	No	No
Maxwell Bar Camp	A large beach camp on river left.	No	Yes
Upper Sheep Creek Camp	River right	No	Yes
Middle Sheep Creek Camp	River right	No	Yes
Lower Sheep Creek Camp	River right	No	Yes
Bush Creek Camp	River left	No	No
Slide Beach Camp	Beach camp on river left.	No	Yes
Johnson Creek Bar Camp	River right	No	No
Wind River Camp	River right just above the pack bridge	No	Yes

Name	Type
Salmon River Lodge	Landmark
Legend Creek Pictographs	Pictograph
Devils Toe Pictographs	Pictograph
River of No Return Lodge	Landmark
Hot Spring	Hot Spring
Andy Strauss Cabin Site	Historical Place
Jim Moore Cabin	Historical Place
Frances Zaumiller Pack Bridge	Landmark
Pictographs	Pictograph
Painter Mine	Historical Place
Fivemile Bar (Buckskin Bills)	Historical Place

Salmon River - Corn Creek to Vinegar Creek/Carey Creek (Main Salmon)

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