Conditions:Middle Fork Owyhee River-20240527031534
Latest: |
24 May 2024 (1 yr, 10 mos ago) |
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| Reported by: | K arc (399 reports) | |
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| Location: | Middle Fork Owyhee River | |
| Quality: | Amazing |
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| Waterflow: | Moderate Low |
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| Wetsuit: | Thin wetsuit |
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| Water temperature: | ||
| Difficulty: | Nontechnical |
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| Time: |  8 hours
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Team: 1 people
Trip report URL:
Comments: Parked at Three Forks near the Middle Fork ford. This is a good place to check the flow. Scattered reports suggested that the Middle Fork was largely non-technical, but given the old/vague trip reports I opted for a bottom-up approach - think I'd actually recommend going this way in any event for best views. Need to skirt around private land in the lower drainage to stay legal, but might recommend doing this anyway as sections of the Middle Fork are choked with vegetation. Staying on open higher slopes makes for easier hiking.
Took about two hours to reach Guardian Pillars marking the entrance to the canyon. (Only one rattlesnake encountered en route. Watch out when hiking through tall vegetation!) Suited up and headed on in. Wetsuit was an excellent idea in May as the water is cold. Encountered a number of unavoidable waist-to-chest deep pools, although only a couple required swimming. Water levels were low enough to make progress upstream against the current and all rapids and mini-falls were easily bypassed.
At the confluence with Pole Creek, explored upstream a ways until reaching a giant boulder/rockfall pile that appeared to bar further progress. Possibly ropes required... or Pole Creek would be a better descent route.
Returned to the confluence and continued to junction with the next major tributary (largely dry) entering on the west side. Ahead the creek enters a cool grotto with a 15ft fall, bypassed climber's left. Continued around and S-bend in the creek and was able to exit up to a saddle, and from there up a large grassy gully leading to the rim of the mesa. This area is fantastic with spires all over the place - gaining views that you do not get down at creek level. Looped back across the mesa and down a road back to the parking area.
All condition reports
| Date | Quality | Waterflow | Wetsuit | Difficulty | Time | Team | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazing | Moderate Low
| Thin wetsuit
| Nontechnical | 8 hours
| 1 people | K arc (399 reports) | |
Comment: Parked at Three Forks near the Middle Fork ford. This is a good place to check the flow. Scattered reports suggested that the Middle Fork was largely non-technical, but given the old/vague trip reports I opted for a bottom-up approach - think I'd actually recommend going this way in any event for best views. Need to skirt around private land in the lower drainage to stay legal, but might recommend doing this anyway as sections of the Middle Fork are choked with vegetation. Staying on open higher slopes makes for easier hiking.
Took about two hours to reach Guardian Pillars marking the entrance to the canyon. (Only one rattlesnake encountered en route. Watch out when hiking through tall vegetation!) Suited up and headed on in. Wetsuit was an excellent idea in May as the water is cold. Encountered a number of unavoidable waist-to-chest deep pools, although only a couple required swimming. Water levels were low enough to make progress upstream against the current and all rapids and mini-falls were easily bypassed. At the confluence with Pole Creek, explored upstream a ways until reaching a giant boulder/rockfall pile that appeared to bar further progress. Possibly ropes required... or Pole Creek would be a better descent route. Returned to the confluence and continued to junction with the next major tributary (largely dry) entering on the west side. Ahead the creek enters a cool grotto with a 15ft fall, bypassed climber's left. Continued around and S-bend in the creek and was able to exit up to a saddle, and from there up a large grassy gully leading to the rim of the mesa. This area is fantastic with spires all over the place - gaining views that you do not get down at creek level. Looped back across the mesa and down a road back to the parking area.
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