Salmon, E. Fork of S. Fork, Idaho, US

1 - Vibika Creek to Johnson Creek (Upper Section)

Usual Difficulty	IV (for normal flows)
Length	2.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient	146 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
JOHNSON CREEK AT YELLOW PINE ID
usgs-13313000	250 - 1500 cfs	IV	00h54m	80 cfs (rc= -0.1 )

River Description

This run is nearly continuous class IV. Watch out for logs. The season is short, two or three weeks in June or July. The run starts with three tenths of a mile of flat water followed by 2.5 miles of action. This is one of my favorite runs.

Description:

The run to Quartz Creek is continuous easy class IV. Watch out for the riverwide log dam just after your warm up. Some people put in here, but I don’t know where to park the car. Just before you come to Quartz Creek is a big drop (waterfall) which should be scouted from the road on the way up. After quartz Creek comes in on the right, the run becomes more pool-drop for a while and the drops are a little bigger. Things ease up a bit under the bridge as you enter town. Then it picks up again (squeeze left if you get scared). After it eases again, you come to two islands near the end of the run. The right side of each island is traditionally plugged with logs. The left is better, but not to be trusted. The run ends with a bang as you approach Johnson Creek.

Shuttle: Road Map

To get to the take-out:From the intersection of Yellow Pine Ave, Stibnite Road, and Johnson Creek Road go west (down hill) toward Krassel one half mile to a bridge over the East Fork South Fork Salmon. Take out under the bridge. If you take out below the bridge, walk down the dirt road on river right and check out the last drop.

To get to the put-in: Go back to Yellow Pine Ave and Stibnite Road. Continue up Stibnite road. As you approach Quartz Creek (on the other side of the canyon), look down at the river and gawk. Where the road and river come together, park near the group of Douglas Fir trees among the Cottonwoods: Scout the waterfall. At the log dam: Scout and be sure you can stop in the non eddy. Where the road and river part company, continue three tenths of a mile farther and park near a sign announcing Vibika Creek.