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Yankee Jim's Run slide show - Class 2    Iowa Hill Run slide show - Class 4

The North Fork American

Running now as long as the spring melt is happening - Check flow links page.

 

       This is one of the few rivers left with no dams on it's upper reaches. Because of this fact it must be rafted during the spring runoff. Best times are May to early June. In summer you can still float a raft down but you may have to walk it through the shallow rapids. As the water level drops it gets warmer and warmer and offers the most inviting swimming holes in the area. It flows into Lake Clementine which is perfect for our kayaks. This reservoir was built to contain the tailings from the hydraulic mining era. Since it is not used for power generation or water supply, it stays full all the time, giving it a very natural look.
There is a trip on this river for every ability level from class 5 to flat water.

  1. Ponderosa Way crossing: Easy class 1-2, 5 mile run. Ponderosa Way can be reached from Hwy 80, Weimar area or from the Forresthill Rd. Take out is at Upper Lake Clementine (opens mid May to early June), accessed from the Forresthill Rd. or if you want to do this run before June you could paddle to the Lower Clementine access; another 4.5 miles on the lake. Just very basic maneuvering skills are needed for this run.

  2. Yankee Jim's crossing: Class 2-3 depending on flows. This road runs from the Colfax/Weimar area to Forresthill so you can access it from either side. At higher flows the first part of this run can be quite feisty so it's a good idea to have some experience under your belt. The run is about 4.5 miles to Ponderosa way or you can continue to Upper Lake Clementine if open. Click here for Yankee Jim's Run slide show.

  3. Iowa Hill Rd from Colfax: Class 4. This run is for big boys. Narrow canyon with lot's of boulders rocks and drops. Must be really experienced for this one preferably having had a few seasons of class 3 guiding under your belt first. Requires helmets & wetsuits. Best run at 1000 to 3000 cfs. Click here for Iowa Hill Run slide show.