Inflatable kayak trip down the Upper Owyhee from Crutcher’s Crossing to Three Forks in Oregon. Four-day, three night trip starting May 11, 2023.

My good friend Mark and I had been talking for years about doing this trip but water, weather and schedules never seemed to work out. This year it was the perfect storm, all three came together. The gauge at Crutcher’s Crossing was at 950 CFS at launch and dropped to just over 800 CFS by the end of the trip. Likewise, the gauge at Rome, OR was 3000 CFS at the start and 2000 at take-out. Plenty of water but nothing crazy – just perfect. The weather was good, high 60’s to mid-70‘s with one afternoon thundershower. Still cool enough for a dry suit for this old guy!

After an obligatory stop at the Griddle in Winnemucca for lunch we arrived at Three Forks in the late afternoon. The roads into Three Forks are suitable for a passenger vehicle but the road down from the canyon rim into Three Forks may be better negotiated with a high clearance vehicle or a rental car. Remember, the vehicle that can go the farthest into the wilderness …… is a rental car with full insurance! There is no running water at the campsites but there is a fairly well maintained pit toilet. It was cold enough that a fire felt good.

The next morning, Craig from Barker River Expeditions in Idaho came to pick us up in a stout 4x4 Yukon. Craig was a wealth of information on the area and a pleasure to spend the day with. We initially tried to take a short-cut past the North Fork campground on a more direct route to Crutcher's Crossing but the road was closed due to snow over the pass. After a lengthy backtrack, we ended up going through Jordan Valley, and cutting over to Highway 78 in SW Idaho, and then taking Highway 51 south to Owyhee in the Duck Valley Indian reservation. From there we headed due west. It was already a long day to that point and we still had several hours over a dual track road to the put-in. One advantage this route did offer, it gave us a chance to visit “the middle of nowhere”. Always wanted to know where that was. The road down into Crutcher’s Crossing requires a high clearance vehicle at a minimum. If the road was wet a 4x4 would be needed if you could get through at all. The entire trip took over 10 hours to travel 126 miles.

The put-in at Crutcher's on the East Fork was quick and easy and we were on the river in no time on a sunny, late afternoon. We camped a few miles down the East Fork, above the confluence with the Main Owyhee. Very nice camp on a gravel bar.

The next morning was beautiful, and we quickly arrived at House Rapid which was easily negotiated on river right. A while later we passed the stone cabin that marks the top of Cabin Rapids. The upper part is read and run, but we got out and scouted the main rapid. It can be portaged and scouted along the bench on river left. We started center, cut right along the big wall and then worked back left to pass the house boulder at the base of the rapid. A few non-obvious holes, but fairly straightforward.

The next day we came to Cable rapid. The rapid is obvious and can be scouted and portaged on the right bank. At that level, we did not see any route, or at least a route that wouldn't be exceedingly dangerous, so the decision was made to portage. Be careful, the rocks along the shore when wet are SLIPPERY. We used carabiners and pulleys we brought with us to rig a trolley system on the overhead cable. The only problem we had was the cable being frayed in places, causing the pulleys to hang up but overall it was an aid in portaging. Below the rapid was a great camp with a sandy beach on river right. After that, we did not see many decent camps so grab what you can and don't be picky. We brought our own water for the trip but filtering the river water would be an option. Be sure to have a pre-filter since their is some sediment in the river.

Overall the trip was wonderful. The canyon is beautiful and we did not see another sole. The area is REMOTE, so plan accordingly. Be self sufficient, cautious and stay within your skill level. Don't be one of the people that get in over their head by stupidity or being ill prepared and needing someone to come and bail them out. Search and Rescue is there if something goes wrong when you are being circumspect, and not an idiot. Be sure to bring some means of communication, either a gps satellite transceiver or a Sat phone (both are best). Have a good repair and medical kit and have the knowledge to use them. Also have good maps of the area so if you need to hike out you know where you're going. Some type of sturdy shoe (hiking boots) would be highly recommended. In many sections of the canyon, reaching the rim will be difficult if next to impossible. Don't take this trip lightly. But with good preparation, the proper equipment, and good judgement you'll have a magical experience.