Start making plans to run the Owyhee and Bruneau Rivers - snowpack looks good!

Cave Draw is only accessible from the river

Hi all,

We had a big crowd for my River Talk on Tuesday night, sponsored by Idaho Rivers United, at Idaho River Sports, where I shared some of my experiences in running the Jarbidge-Bruneau River and several forks of the Owyhee River.

Here's my slide show if you want to take a peek: https://www.slideshare.net/SteveStuebner1/running-rivers-in-the-owyhee-canyonlands

Wendy's favorite is the East Fork of the Owyhee River 

Back in the day, intel about these rivers was considered kind of a closely-guarded secret among those in the know, but that's changed quite a bit some 30+ years after I started running them in the 1980s. Early-day  "river rats" were really the first to explore the Owyhee and Jarbidge-Bruneau rivers back in the day in the 1970s with primitive river gear and craft. Nowadays most people know about the opportunity, but it's not easy to access the rivers in many instances (rough roads, muddy roads, need a big 4WD truck, etc.), and you might not have your own boat.

This spring will be a good one to float the Owyhee or the Bruneau Rivers because we are looking at more than 100 percent of normal snowpack. It's just a question of when things begin to melt.

If you've never done one of our desert rivers, it's a good time to book with an Idaho outfitter. Four companies lead trips on those rivers every year, including:

• Far and Away Adventures in Sun Valley.
• ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene. 
• Wilderness River Adventures in Salmon. 
• Jon Barker - Barker River Expeditions. Barker also leads canyoneering trips in the Owyhees.

All of those outfitters are rock-solid. Check with the individual outfitters on pricing, style of trip, etc. 

Dad and Drew on the Lower Owyhee

Here are some highlights from my presentation:

1. The Owyhee and Bruneau River systems are spring rivers. There are no upstream storage reservoirs. You have to watch the snowpack and the river flows to get a sense of when you need to plan a trip out there. In general, Owyhee River season is March-May, and Bruneau is May-June. The biggest limiting factor is weather and road access.

2.  The Lower Owyhee River is the easiest fork of the Owyhee River system to access and the easiest river to negotiate in terms of the rapids. But you still need a solid 4WD rig to get out of the canyon at Birch Creek.

• Logistics ... 48 miles from BLM Rome put-in west of Jordan Valley, OR, to BLM Birch Creek takeout. Put in is about 2+ hours from Boise. 
• Allow 3-5 days for the trip. A longer trip provides more flexibility for layover days and side hikes.  
• Dress in cold-weather gear on your trip. There can be extreme headwinds in the spring, bone-chilling NW winds, blizzards or driving rain. I've had all of those things in one trip. 
• Lower Owyhee has Class 2-3+ rapids ... experienced Stand Up Paddle (SUPs) boarders do well on that trip. Also good for rafts, IKs, skilled whitewater canoeists.

East Fork Owyhee near "The Tules"

3. East Fork Owyhee River is one of the most challenging rivers to do because of challenging access at the start and the end, but one of the most scenic and secluded.

• Logistics ... 43 miles from Garat BLM put-in west of Duck Valley Indian Reservation to Crutcher's Crossing BLM takeout. Put in is about 4+ hours from Boise. 
• Allow 5-6 days for the trip. A longer trip provides more flexibility for layover days and side hikes.  
• Dress in cold-weather gear on your trip. There can be extreme headwinds in the spring, bone-chilling NW winds, blizzards or driving rain. I've had all of those things in one trip. 
• High-clearance 4WD required.
• Portage at Owyhee Falls required. Many Class 2-3 rapids. Portage at Eye of the Needle may be required, too.
• Go with someone who's been there before. 
• Watch for snakes after things warm up.

Whitewater canoes double as camp table on the East Fork.

4. Three Forks to Rome section of Owyhee River is also super challenging and remote, but it's a favorite of hard-core whitewater rafters because of the potential to run or portage Widowmaker. Other challenging Class 4+ rapids include Ledge, located less than a mile from the put-in, and Halfmile, about half way through the trip.

• Only experienced and skilled boaters should go on this section. 
• 37 miles ... allow 3-4 days for the trip 
• Put-in at Three Forks (unimproved dirt road); takeout at Rome.
• High-clearance 4WD required.
• Be sure to scout Widowmaker to plan portage or run the rapids.  

Steve feeling the #Private Idaho experience in the Bruneau Canyon.

5. Bruneau River is one of my all-time favorites. It's a super scenic canyon.

• Logistics ... 41 miles from Hot Springs put-in south of Bruneau and the Bruneau Canyon. Put in is about 4.5+ hours from Boise. 
• Allow 3-5 days for the trip. A longer trip provides more flexibility for layover days and side hikes.  
• Dress in cold-weather gear on your trip. There can be extreme headwinds in the spring, bone-chilling NW winds, blizzards or driving rain. I've had all of those things in one trip. 
• High-clearance 4WD required to reach the put-in at Hot Springs. Very, very rough road.

Steve on his first Bruneau River trip in a Maravia Espirit new self-bailing raft. Circa May 1987.

6. Jarbidge River is very challenging for skilled kayakers. Lots of Class 3-4-5 rapids. Multiple portages. Go with someone who's been there before. Need a strong crew. Be safe!

You will need to shuttle your rigs from the put-in to the takeout with a shuttle service or do it yourself. The BLM and other sources have a list of shuttle services for the desert rivers. Make sure you have your invasive species permit!

There you have it! Have fun!
- SS