3. Baker Wayside to Idlelyd Park Recreational

Before embarking on any section of the North Umpqua, check the guidelines on the BLM site to avoid conflict with fishermen. Put in at Baker Wayside.  It is best to use the trail immediately after getting off the highway, rather than driving down to the lower parking areas, unless you want to start the day with an attainment and long ferry.  It is also possible to put in at a small spur road 1/2 miles upstream if you don't mind a flat water start. Upper Baker is adjacent to the wayside and is class III down the main channel on the left.  The next rapid is Baker Falls, it is a good idea to scout this rapid from the end of the wayside before putting in if flows are over 1,000 cfs.  Below 1,000 cfs you can scout from the right bank.  At summer flows, there is a nice deep water boof on the right side of the main channel, the hole would be unpleasant to get stuck in so only run it if you have a reliable boof.  Safety can be set. Next up is Baker Alley, which is mostly easy floating through a scenic gorge (less so since a fire burned away the greenery).  There are a few easy rapids that can be slalomed to increase their whitewater value.  A flat straight away ends at Upper Cable, a quality class III with a surf hole at the top that confident boaters may want to play in. Boaters soon pass the Cable Access, where a swirly eddyline can be a good place to practice stern squirts and combat rolls. The next rapid, Lower Cable can be scouted from the left bank, the usual line is center/right though other options exist. Next up is Deadline Falls.  There are many lines that come and go at various flows, the summertime line is an excellent boof center/left.  It is easy to lap this rapid on river-left, or portage if the hole is too spicy. 3/4 miles of class II-III read and run seperate Deadline from the next major rapid, The Narrows.  A small rapid turns left and drops steeply through a narrow point in the bedrock, scout from the right bank.  The normal summertime line starts left, riding a shoulder back to center and into a large pool. Below the Narrows cliffs line the deep, calm channel the North Umpqua flows through, making for good swimming and jumping options on a warm day. When the river bends right, get out on the left to take a look at Salmon Hole, the final rapid on the run.  There are many line options on this short drop, and they have all been run, pick your level of spice. Get out on the right bank immediately after running Salmon Hole, and walk the steep path up to the parking area at take out.  Mind the poison oak. Put In:  43.315425204929355, -122.96963142579604 Take Out:  43.326054650888075, -123.01625303410941 Trip Report at into the outside. A video from the BLM.