Priest, Idaho, US

1. Canadian Border to Road 1013

Usual Difficulty	V+ (for normal flows)
Length	28.2 Miles

River Description

This section of the Priest starts as the river literally spills over the Canadian border at Canadian Falls. The falls are not accessible from the US. For approximately a half mile below Canadian Falls, the runs passes through an inaccessible gorge with extreme gradient, which it exists spilling over the much smaller American Falls. From American Falls the river flows through a roadless canyon for approximately 10 miles to Forest Service road 1013. The first few miles have good gradient, which gradually slacks off until the river becomes completely flat. Before you start packing up your boat, note that the entire river is plagued by major log jams of huge old growth cedar and hemlock. Running this section would be a major portage fest or a long walk with a kayak. To my knowledge it has never been run. Who knows what large flood might do?

Canadian Falls is not accessible from the US, but there is a 2.5 mile, steep trail leading to American Falls (Forest Service trail 28). To get there take State Hiway 57 north from the Town of Priest River to the town of Nordman (don't blink or you'll mis it). From Nordman take Forest Service road 302 to road 1013 which dead ends at the trail 28 trail head. The highest point on the road in is around 3,500 feet which would make early season access very possible. If it wasn't for the wood this run would already be a North Idaho classic.