Smith, Middle Fork, California, US

6 Miles Above Patrick Creek to S. Fork Road (thru Oregon Hole Gorge)

Gauge Information

River Description

Getting There:  The Smith drainage is in the far northwest corner of California.  From the coast, take highway 101 to Crescent City.  Take Highway 199 through Jebediah Redwoods National Park.   It is only a short ways from Crescent City.  Highway 199 is excellent but will generally have heavy traffic.   From inland, Highway 199 meets Interstate 5 in Grants Pass. 

Sections:   This write up covers 3 fairly distinct sections of the Middle Fork Smith.
1)  6 miles above Patrick Creek to Patrick Creek.  (The highway leaves the main river above this point.)
2) Patrick Creek to Panther Flat (or Gasquet)   class 3 to 3+ with one class 4
3) Gasquet to SF Smith confluence:  6 miles of class 3 till the Oregon Hole Gorge (class 4 to 5).

Access points:  Highway 199 parralels the river for this entire distance, so there are many options for launching onto the river.   The highest launch point listed here is where the river turns south and leaves the highway.   The river is fairly small at this point, so congestion and logs could be a greater problem. The more common launch points are probably at Patrick Creek, Panther Flat Campground, the higway bridge below Gasquet and perhaps just above Oregon Hole Gorge (for experts).

The short Oregon Hole Gorge is often run by itself. Check out Oregon Kayaking River page for some descriptions of this gorge.

For books, see: Cassady & Calhoun, Holbek & Stanley, Schwind, Soggy Sneakers.