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RiverBrain

Salmon River

Piece of Cake Run (Sunbeam to Torreys)

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Idaho – US

Class
III to IV
Length
8.5 Mile(s)
Gradient
26.2 FPM
Put-in elevation
5,929 Feet
Take-out elevation
5,706 Feet
Typical season
April to October

Current Flow

1,010 CFS

Gauge height: 3.23 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:45 PM

● 0.00/hr (12h) ● 0.00/hr (24h)

Running

Hit some laps

Primary gauge
SALMON RIVER BL YANKEE FORK NR CLAYTON ID Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗

Recommended levels

Minimum600
Average2,000
Maximum6,000

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

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Description

This run starts off with the Piece of Cake Rapid which gives this run its name.  The Salmon is a little busier here in the heart of the canyon as the river makes a straight shot directly to the east.  This area also has the Narrows.  

Highway 75 follows the river the whole way but can't be used reliably to scout everything on this run.  The highway and the river compete for real estate in the canyon bottom.

Higher flows brings a more class IV feel to this run while lower flows drop it down to III or III+.

Rapids

# Rapid Class Recommended flow Description Scout
1 Elk Creek Riffle II to II+ 6,000–—

Some class II water just below the put in. 
2 Piece of Cake Rapid III 6,000–—

This is a good wave train that can become rocky at lower flows.  

Read and run
3 Muley Creek Rapid II to II+ 6,000–—

Class II water exists all the way around the small bend to the robinson bar bridge on the other side of the bend
4 O'Brien Rapid II to II+ 6,000–—

There is a small class II rapid in between the campgrounds.  The river widens slightly here making some shallows.
5 Narrows Rapid III to IV- 6,000–—

Right after the river makes a left hand turn and heads Northeast it straightens out and narrows up.  For the next half mile be on your toes for drops and waves.  This section definitely gets more pushy at high water.

Scouting from the road while driving is tough due to the lack of pull outs and viewing the river from the road as you drive is difficult.  You can pull over at the apex of the bend and scout on river left or walk the road some.
6 Peach Creek Rapid II 6,000–—

Some rougher class II water here.  Beginners keep an eye out for rocks.
7 Rapid II 6,000–—

More class II water just after the sharp right hand turn bend.

Read and run

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Yankee Fork Sunbeam Access 5,929 Feet No No No All Vehicles

Just below the sunbeam dam site the road has a pulloff and a primitive ramp you can use for access.  There is not a large parking or staging area here.  You could use the dam overlook site for that if needs be.
Put-In Elk Creek Access 5,883 Feet No No No All Vehicles

This area is mainly used by fishermen but you could easily get a kayak on or off the river here.
Take-Out Torrey's Access 5,706 Feet No No Yes All Vehicles

This is a good ramp and parking area.  There are also restrooms here.  This is a busy ramp though because fishing drift boats typically put on here while whitewater commercial and private trips and taking out here.  Read the signs and park appropriately to avoid getting tickets.

Camps

Camp Fee Beach Description
Upper O'Brien Campground Yes No

Accessible by vehicle and boats.  Smaller loop campground
Lower O'Brien Campground No No

A larger campground than the upper O'Brien.  

Permit

No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Points of Interest

fawn creek Spring

Community Run Notes

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