The Middle Owyhee
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This
is an absolutely fantastic river trip due to some spectacular scenery
and a few great Class IV rapids. Fewer people do the Middle Owyhee than
the Lowe Owyhee due to the narrower flow window (1,200 - 3,000 cfs),
few big camps, and the Class V+ Widowmaker.
You put-in at Three Forks which is near the confluence of the North Fork, East Fork, and Main Stem of the Owyhee. You'll quickly come up to The Ledge which is a long Class IV rapid with a tricky (and fun) entrance. The rapids are fairly straightforward until around mile 10 when you'll hit the long Class IV rapid Half Mile which is quickly followed by the Class III Raft Flip.
The next 10 miles bring the rapids Subtle Hole, Bombshelter Drop, Sharks Tooth, and Finger Rock. There is a great cave camp in Bombshelter Cave on the left just below Bombshelter Drop. Around mile 20, Soldier Creek enters on the left and you'll find a couple of small camps above and below the creek and a great side hike up it. Immediately below here the canyon walls narrow and you'll encounter the Class V+ rapid Widowmaker.
When flows
are above 2,000 cfs it is becomes incredibly difficult to catch an eddy
on the right just before the main drop which makes scouting (and portaging)
more difficult.
Widowmaker is like other Class V+ rapids. You'll see exactly where
to go and then you'll see the sieves and undercut wall and wonder
if you can make the move to avoid them. Most people choose to portage
or line the rafts down the right side.
The vertical canyon walls here are downright breathtaking. There are a few Class III rapids and a great camp immediately following Widowmaker.
About five miles past Widowmaker the canyon opens up and the rapids are Class II and easier. You'll be floating through private farmland as you approach Rome where you can take out or continue down the Lower Owyhee.
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