A lesser-run section of the Middle Fork Smith River, the Knopki Gorge Run requires higher flows as the smallish river moves through a series of tight microgorges high in the river system.
DIFFICULTY
The first third of the run, before multiple confluences increase flow, is Class II with brush hazards with the notable exception of one four-foot bedrock ledge that is Class III+. In the middle of the run the gorge is Class III+ at lower flows (around 4,000 cfs on the Jed Smith gage) and solid Class IV at moderate flows (10,000 cfs) and includes about ten fun rapids, some of which are very narrow bedrock drops with holes at the bottom. The Class IV rating includes the wood hazard potential, which is always changing storm-to-storm. After the last Class IV rapid, the character is mellow Class II with a few Class III chanels that require careful work to stay out of alders and willows or off rocks. This is generally considered an advanced intermediate difficulty level run.
FLOW
The USGS Smith R NR Crescent City CA (11532500) gage is far downstream of this run and includes the flow from all forks of the Smith River. Flow on the Knopki Gorge Run is generally approximately 10-20% of the flow at the gage (not considering time difference between flow in the gorge and when it arrives at the gage). Use the USGS gage as a reference, but recognize that flows on this run may be significantly departed from what the gage suggests that they may be.
That said, 6,000 cfs is a good base flow for IKs, packrafts, and kayaks. For small rafts, 10,000 cfs is a moderate flow.
PUT-IN
Put in at the first bridge you encounter up the Knopki Creek Road (Forest Road 18N07) of off Highway 199 near its 30.1 mile post (seven road miles from the take-out). There is a second bridge further up, but putting in there only adds brushy shallow mank. Above the second bridge is Middle Fork Falls.
TAKE-OUT
The furthest possible downstream take out for this run is along Highway 199 at the large pull-out with a call box, 1.2 road miles upriver of the Patrick Creek Lodge and near the 23.1 mile post. Be sure to scout the take-out at the river prior to boating as it is unmarked and very easy to miss. Do not continue downstream from this point unless you want to run class IV-V
Siskiyou Gorge Run, which begins immediately with a large rapid. It is also possible to take out further upstream at other pull-outs on Highway 199.
CHARACTER & SCENERY
Remote feel but is roadside along Highway 199. High quality scenery with a coastal rainforest feel, moss, dripping waterfalls, and steelhead pooling in aerated confluence pools.
HAZARDS
Typically expect several portages for wood, or more if you are not comfortable with log ducks or scooting over branches. Wood is somewhat persistent in this run, moreso after the 2023 Smith River Complex fire which burned at moderate to high severity on the lower portions of this run, and the 2020 Slater Fire which is feeding in wood from further upstream. In 2023, Caltrans cut thousands of trees along Highway 199, dropping some of them into the river where they may pose hazards to boaters. Always be on the lookout for wood!
SEASON
Typically a winter run after a rainstorm but may flow in late fall and early spring too.