Road No. 468, To Headwaters, Sec. 3, T28n, R12e river run
Road No. 468, To Headwaters, Sec. 3, T28n, R12e
The segment mileage for this stretch is approximately 8.5 miles, starting at the put-in on Road No. 468 and ending at the Headwaters campground. Paddlers can expect to encounter several rapids and obstacles along the way, including rocks, drops, and waves.
Specific regulations to the area include a permit system for overnight camping at the Headwaters campground. Visitors are required to obtain a permit from the Forest Service before camping in the area. Additionally, all paddlers are required to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) while on the river.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run on Road No. 468 to Headwaters offers a thrilling whitewater paddling experience for experienced kayakers and rafters. It is important for visitors to be aware of the specific regulations in the area and to check current streamflow levels before embarking on their trip. Sources used for this information include American Whitewater and the U.S. Forest Service.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Road No. 468, To Headwaters, Sec. 3, T28n, R12e -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sf Clearwater River Nr Elk City Id | 42 cfs | → |
| Selway River Nr Lowell Id | 12,300 cfs | → |
| West Fork Bitterroot River Nr Conner Mt | 846 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Salmon River At Mouth Nr Shoup Id | 9,220 cfs | → |
| Lochsa River Nr Lowell Id | 8,160 cfs | → |
| Salmon River Nr Shoup Id | 6,180 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- Salmon River, Sec. 23, T26n, R10e To North Boundary Frank-Church Wilderness, Road #468
- Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters
- Sec. 28, T30n, R13e To Boundary Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
- Paradise To Selway Falls
- 32nd Street To Smelter
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Road No. 468, To Headwaters, Sec. 3, T28n, R12e as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Road No. 468, To Headwaters, Sec. 3, T28n, R12e
What's the optimal flow for Road No. 468, To Headwaters, Sec. 3, T28n, R12e?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Road No. 468, To Headwaters, Sec. 3, T28n, R12e.