THE UPPER KLAMATH (OREGON):

Often times dubbed "the wettest run in Oregon," the Upper Klamath, or "Upper K", is an action-packed thriller of a run. Dropping nearly 80 feet per mile in some sections, the river is rarely at a stand-still.

With rapids like Caldera, Satan's Gate, and Hell's Corner, the Upper Klamath offers challenging class IV+ rapids that go on for eternity.

The most difficult part of the day, however, is off the river doing the shuttle. There are two options: 1) Commit to the whole run and put-in a half mile below Boyle Dam. The shuttle drive from here to the take out (upstream of COPCO Lake) is a haneous 2.5 hours one way. Option #2) Drive to COPCO Lake and take a dirt road to Frane Ranch, which bisects the run into halves. The road is awful. If you do not have a vehicle with good clearance, or if it has been raining or snowing, do not even try. It is pretty much all clay and is slicker than snot when wet. However, it puts you a quarter mile above Caldera and saves a ton of time.

Flows on the Upper Klamath are determined by releases from the Boyle Dam. Generally, there are two flows: one turbine or two. One turbine (just less than 2000 CFS) offers flows that are great for first-timers down the Upper Klamath. Two turbines gives paddlers a much different experience, a more high-water feel.

THE LOWER KLAMATH (CALIFORNIA):

The Lower Klamath is a great river for introductory level class II-III. Most people put-in at the mouth of Indian Creek, which is located in Happy Camp, CA (Home of Big Foot). Indian Creek itself has been kayaked and rafted although you would need significant flows. Another great tributary to check out is Elk Creek, which can be observed by going over the Klamath at the bridge just upstream of the mouth of Indian Creek.

If you are planning on running the 18 mile stretch down to Coon Creek or Green Riffle, you most likely are going to have to shuttle your car(s), which is a simple task since the road runs along the river. If you only have one car and want to save some cash, you can bike the shuttle in about two hours or less if you have a road bike.

The biggest rapid on the run is called Dragon's Tooth, which at low water becomes significant and at high water obsolete. Another rapid that people sometimes look at is called Rattlesnake, which mainly consists of a left bend with some holes in the center and right. At higher water neither one of those rapids is noticable, but pay attention below Dragon's Tooth because some large holes develop in places that normally are insignificant.