Lochsa River

We ran this on our way back from Montana as a way to break up the drive on our return to Oregon with a paddle.  The levels were low compared to videos and pictures we had seen, so no massive wave at Lochsa Falls and no Pipeline.  Yet there was still plenty enough water to have fun and consider it "in".  The run was pool drop III-IV and could be road-scouted from Hwy 12 or boat-scouted from the river.  

We skipped the first few miles as we were scootering the shuttle and still had an 8 hour drive that afternoon, camping along the Lochsa was decent and allowed us to take a different route back than the way we had come.  And get one last river in before heading home.

Complete Beta Here.

Flows: We had low water, but still plenty to enjoy the run.  At this level, I would compare it to the Clackamas River at similar flows, while maintaining a more consistent class III-IV nature than the Clackamas with steeper rapids.

Gage:  Lochsa Near Lowell

We also ran it Memorial Day weekend 2018 at 20,000+ cfs and it was a continuous III-IV wavetrain.

Access:  The Lochsa is accessed off of Hwy 12, which connects Lewiston, ID and Missoula, MT.

We camped at the Knife's edge campground, which is boater friendly with boater changing stations.  The time of year we were there, a few of the spots were not available for camping as they were designated as daytime parking spots for boaters.

We took out at a foot bridge 3 miles upstream of this campground, and put in at a roadside pull out about 8 miles upstream from that bridge.  There are many other sections to choose from and other rivers to run in the area.

Notes:  At the campsite, we ended up eating dinner with a couple from Orofino.  As it turns out the women works at a scope manufacturer nearby, and built the turret that was used to fire this shot.



           -jacob