Overview:
Tumbledown starts off easy and gradually picks up in gradient and difficulty. The first three miles is read and run class II and III, building up to Tumbledown Falls (class IV), the standout rapid on the run. Tumbledown starts with a long train of big crashing waves on a sweeping left-hand bend leading into an almost river-wide ledge hole on the right, where the canyon walls up and contricts. The normal line is left of center down the wave train, then hard left to avoid the ledge. Immediately below the ledge is a deep, clear, emerald green pool. Later in the summer this is a great swimming hole. Below Tumbledown you will find one more standout class III/III+ rapid and lots of easy read and run class II and III.
Scout the entire run very carefully before your trip. Highway 50, a paved two-lane road, parallels the entire run although trees obscure the view in places. Logs and sweepers can be common and seem to shift around unpredictably. Also remember that while a road follows the entire length of the run on river right, it is still very remote country. The nearest medical facilities are at least an hour and half away. Air and water temperatures can be very low even late into the season making hypothermia a very high risk. The difficulty of the run varies considerably with flow. At levels above 5,000 CFS it becomes a very solid big water class IV, and at lower flows, below 1,500 CFS, the run becomes very technical and creeky.
Put in:
The put for Tumbledown is at the Conrad Crossing Forest Service Campground (Highway 50 mile 75.3). A dedicated boat launch area is at the downstream end of the campground. A number of good put in locations just upstream, including Gold Creek Meadow, make it easy to extend the run. Putting in Below Conrad Crossing is difficult due to lack of parking and the high steep banks.
Take out:
Parking is no longer allowed at Bluff Creek, but there is now a formally designated take out about a mile below Bluff Creek with better access. For boats with trailers, continue downstream to Eagle Creek.
Logistics:
Easiest access to Tumbledown is via St. Regis, Montana. Exit interstate 90 at St. Regis, drive west through town onto the frontage road for roughly 1-2 miles. Cross the bridge over I-90 and continue south up Little Joe Creek (Forest Road 282) over Gold Creek Summit to the St. Joe (about 45 minutes). At the Joe turn right and head downstream until you reach Conrad Crossing (less than a mile downstream). For those coming from the south (i.e. Moscow, Pullman, Southern Idaho) access is faster via St. Maries Idaho. Alternatively, seasonal access is possible via the town of Wallace, Idaho over Moon Pass to the Town of Avery. Avery is located about 25 miles down river from Bluff Creek and has several excellent runs close by see notes below for details.
Planning Tools:
Gradient Chart - (comparative)
Forest Service Camping Guide
Map of Idaho Panhandle
NOAA - River Flow Forcast
NOAA - Snow Pack Report
USGS Gauge - Calder
Notes:
There are several nearby runs in the St. Joe watershed, including the
Skookum Canyon (class III/IV), and
Heller Creek (class IV) sections of the main St. Joe, plus the
North Fork (class III+),
Slate Creek (class IV/V),
Marble Creek, (class III/IV) and
Big Creek (Class III/IV-). Also, access to the
Little North Fork Clearwater(class IV(V)) is from Avery via Fishook Creek.