Forrest McCarthy: Packrafting Guide to Jackson Hole

Packrafting in Wild Wyoming

Great rivers, creeks and lakes, many of them roadless and therefore ideal for packrafts, surround Jackson Hole. From scenic wilderness floats to steep creeking to serene mountain lakes there’s something for everyone. May through early July snowmelt creates a packrafting paradise. After the snow is all gone hike in and paddle a remote alpine lake or hone your skills on a roadside whitewater run.

The following are some suggestions for packrafting trips. Conditions are constantly changing and packrafting has inherent dangers, including foreseeable and unforeseeable risks. Paddlers should consider river and weather conditions and their own ability level, among other factors. This guide is intended only as a starting point. There is a lot more to be done. Pick up a map and go explore.

Packrafts can be purchased from Feathercraft or Alpacka Raft or rented from Jackson Hole Packraft and Packraft Rentals Anywhere. Instruction and guiding is available through both Rendezvous River Sports and Thomas Turiano.

Hike and Float

The Author, Wood River Pass

photo by Thomas Turiano

Beginner (Class I/II)
Leigh Lake.For those seeking a serene and scenic float, Leigh Lake in Grand Teton NationalPark is an ideal destination. A mile of easy hiking from the String Lake Parking Area leads to the put in. It is possible to float a section of String Lake on the way in and/or out and utilize the standard canoe portage. A boating permit from Grand Teton National Park is required.

Hike: 1 mile, easy

Paddle: Class I Flat-water

Season: May-October

Crista Valentino, Pacific Creek

photo by Thomas Turiano

Pacific Creek. Appropriate for novice packrafters, Pacific Creek is a highly scenic out-and-back packrafting trip characterized by an open meandering river channel with frequent and stunning views of the Teton Range. Start hiking at the Pacific Creek Trailhead: five-miles of pleasant walking along aflat and well maintained trail leads to the confluence of Gravely and Pacific Creeks and an enjoyable swift-water float back to the trailhead.

Hike: Five miles, easy to moderate

Paddle: Class II swift-water

Gradient: 10 fpm

Season: May and June

Minimum Flow: 200cfs

South Fork of Fish Creek from Union Pass

Fish Creek and the Upper Gros Ventre. This is an adventure into the remote headwaters of the Gros Ventre River, where the buffalo roam the deer and antelope play. Follow the Gros Ventre River Road past Upper Slide Lake and make a left at the bridge and the take out. Follow a graded US Forest Service road southeast for two miles. Then make a right on Forest Road 30410. Continue four miles toward the Cottonwood Creek Trailhead. On the right a poorly marked horse trail goes east for two miles over a ridge to the confluence of the north and south forks of Fish Creek and the put in. Five miles of class II paddling leads to the confluence with the Gros Ventre River. After another five miles of highly scenic paddling the Warren Bridge appears. Seldom is heard a discouraging word.

Hike: 2 miles, moderate

Paddle: 10 miles, Class II swift-water

Gradient: 30 fpm

Season: May – early July

Minimum Flow: 1,000 cfs

Amy McCarthy, Bear Creek

Bear Creek. Tucked away behind the hum of motorboats in Palisades Reservoir and the network of ATV trails in the Caribou Mountains endures a pocket of serene wildness. From Palisades Lake Dam follow a good road around the west shore of the reservoir to Bear Creek Bridge. It is possible to run Bear Creek as an out-and-back. However, the intrepid peak bagger can traverse 10 miles over Big Elk Mountain to a seldom-used horse trail on the far side that leads to Deadman Creek and its confluence with Bear Creek. Ten miles of Class II backcountry paddling returns packrafters to the Bear Creek Bridge. While Bear Creek has a narrow, swift and committing flavor, it lacks any steep drops and is normally free of wood.

Hike: 10 miles, strenuous

Paddle: 10 miles, Class II creeking

Gradient: 40 fpm

Season: May-June

Minimum Flow: 800cfs onnearby Salt River (a good indicator)

Intermediate (Class II/III)

Kelsey Dayton, Buffalo Fork River

North Buffalo Fork River. The Buffalo Fork River is a true packrafting wilderness adventure best for intermediate to advanced boaters. This is a great loop hike/float with a lot of bang for the buck. Park at Turpine Meadows and hike 5 miles up the North Fork Trail to Soda Fork Meadows. Inflate your boats and enjoy a 10-mile Class III wilderness float back to the trailhead and your car. For a shorter version, with slightly easier hiking and paddling, follow the Buffalo Fork Trail to the confluence of the North and South Buffalo Forks. The confluence back to the trailhead still includes five of the best miles of wilderness boating.

Hike: 5 miles, moderate

Paddle: 10 miles, Class III

Gradient: 40 fpm

Season: Late May - August

Minimum Flow: 500cfs

Aaron Pruzan, Willow Creek

Lower Willow Creek. This is the shorter and easier version of the popular Willow Creek run described later. From Bryan Flat Trailhead follow a horse trail west, then south for three miles over a ridge to the confluence of Lick Creek and Willow Creek. It’s a splashy six miles from Lick Creek to the Hoback River. Caution: skill and portaging are required to negotiate several dangerous river-wide trees and logjams. After a mile of swift Class II paddling on the Hoback River, past the Spotted Horse Ranch bridge, there is a second bridge–this is the best takeout. A short walk to Camp Creek Inn is rewarded with cheeseburgers and beer.

Hike: 3 miles, moderate

Paddle: 7 miles of Class II/III creeking

Gradient: 50 fpm

Season: May - early June

Minimum Flow: 1,000cfs on the Greys River, a parallel drainage

Amy McCarthy, Green River

Green River. This is a great introduction to wilderness packrafting that requires an overnight in one of America’s most extraordinary wildernesses: the Wind River Range. From the Green River Trailhead either walk around or paddle across Green River Lakes. From Upper Green River Lake follow the Highline Trail for five miles to Beaver Park — a wonderful place to camp and the ideal base for a scramble to the summit of iconic Squaretop Mountain. The return to Green River Lakes involves five miles of scenic and enjoyable packrafting with one easy Class II/III rapid. Fed by melting glaciers, the emerald green headwaters of the Green River are navigable throughout the summer.

Hike: 12 miles, strenuous

Paddle: 5 miles Class II/III paddling,5 miles Class I

Gradient: 20 fpm

Season: June - September

Minimum Flow: 300cfs

Amy McCarthy, Willow Creek

Expert

Upper Willow Creek: Floating Willow Creek from Adams Creek is initiation by fire. Just a hundred yards from the put in is Adams Apple—an exciting Class IV drop. From Bryan Flats Trailhead walk four miles along an old road to Adams Creek and the former site of the Rimrock Homestead. From there, follow old cow trails down Adams Creek to the confluence with Willow Creek. Soon after the put-in a limestone cliff band intersects the creek disrupting its peaceful flow. Take out and scout Adams Apple on river left. Below Adams Apple is more Class III, a whole lot of splashy Class II, and several mandatory portages around river-wide logjams. Seven miles later the Hoback River appears, and less than a mile after that is the second road bridge and the take out. Reward yourself with cheeseburgers and beer at Camp Creek Inn.

Hike: 4 miles, moderate

Paddle: 8 miles, Class III (IV) whitewater creeking

Gradient: 60 fpm

Season: May-early June.

Minimum Flow: 1,000cfs on the Greys River, a parallel drainage

Forrest McCarthy, Willow Creek

photo by Roman Dial

Crystal Creek: Can you say Creeking? Yeha! This is a super fun Class IV out and back. Follow the Gros Ventre River Road to the Red Rock Campground. Soon after you cross Crystal Creek make a right turn; three miles later park at the Crystal Creek Trailhead. After fording the creek follow a horse trail for a mile to a big obvious meadow and a second ford. From there back to your car is a steep non-stop whitewater adrenaline rush. Hiking three miles further to Jag Creek adds a few more IV drops and creates a longer day.

Hike: 1 mile, easy

Paddle: 1 mile, Class IV creeking

Gradient: 150 fpm

Season: June-July

Minimum Flow: 1,000cfs on the Gros Ventre River

Derek Collins, Buffalo Fork River

photo by Roman Dial

South Buffalo Fork River: This is the North Fork’s wild derelict brother. Park at the Forest Service trailhead behind Togwotee Mountain Lodge. Descend two miles to a trail junction and go right. After a mile the horse trail fords the South Buffalo Fork. At the ford inflate your boat and get ready for a three-mile Class IV adrenaline rush to the confluence with the North Fork. From the confluence it's a five-mile Class III paddle to the take out at Turpin Meadows.

Hike: 3 miles, moderate

Paddle: 3 miles steep Class IV drops, 5miles Class III

Gradient: 100 fpm, 40 fpm

Season: July-August

Minimum Flow: 500cfs

Wyatt Roscoe, Gros Ventre River

Upper Upper Gros Ventre: This is a wild ride and a notable achievement in the evolution of packrafting in Jackson Hole. With Mt. Darwin looming above, the run drops steeply through glacier moraine deposited during the Pleistocene. The crux of the six-mile run is a Class IV+ rapid known as Natural Selection. While it’s possible to put in from the Darwin Ranch the car shuttle would require a full day of driving. Instead follow the Gros Ventre River Road all the way to its end at the Forest Service trailhead at Cow Creek. Continue along a two track past the Horn Ranch where the trail turns to single track. Four miles later the trail fords the Gross Ventre River just below the Darwin Ranch. Putin here and earn or forfeit your chance to reproduce.

Hike: 6 miles, moderate

Paddle: 6 miles, Class IV+ rocky whitewater

Gradient: 110 fpm

Season: Late June- early July

Minimum Flow: 1,000cfs

Roadside Fun

Wyatt Roscoe, Molly Loomi s, Andy Tyson, Mike Ducart, Forrest McCarthy,

and Amy McCarthy, Union Pass

photo by Tom Flynn

Beginner (Class II)

Flat Creek: Urbaneering. This is a fun three-mile float that on a hot summer evening offers a different view of Jackson Hole and its local wildlife. Put in behind Dairy Queen and takeout at the Jackson Middle School. You can even use the free city START Bus for a shuttle.

Paddle: 3 miles, Class I/II

Gradient: 30 fpm

Season: April - September

Minimum Flow: 80cfs

Snake River: Exploring the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park with a packraft is a wonderful way to experience the park. In addition to the majestic mountains towering above, wildlife abounds: elk, moose, bison, wolves, and grizzly bears. A packraft allows one to navigate many side channels frequented by wildlife. Beware of strainers. Deadman’s Bar to Moose is a favorite section that finishes with beer and pizza at Dornan’s. You must obtain a boating permit from Grand Teton National Park.

Paddle: 10 miles, Class II

Gradient: 20 fpm

Season: April - October

Minimum Flow: 300cfs

Forrest McCarthy, Greys River

Upper Greys River: Guarded by the expansive Wyoming Range to the east and the rugged Salt River Range to the west, the Greys River defines a high, undeveloped mountain valley where little has changed since travelers along the Oregon Trail skirted its headwaters at the Tri Basin Divide. Packrafting is a delightful way to explore this rugged and remote valley. From the town of Alpine follow the Greys River Road for 30 miles to the Cabin Creek Road Bridge. From Cabin Creek the river is a swift Class II for 23 miles to Lynx Creek. On occasion downed trees cross the river creating dangerous yet avoidable strainers. Some of the downed trees may be river wide and require a short portage. Below Lynx Creek areseveral Class III rapids. The road parallels the river and shorter options are possible.

Paddle: 23 miles, Class II swift-water

Gradient: 30 fpm

Season: June – July

Minimum Flow: 700cfs

Intermediate (Class III)

Granite Creek: This is a super fun and scenic low volume, high altitude run that is normally free of wood. The scenery is spectacular and the water is swift. Granite Creek Camground makes a convenient put in and the parking area near the confluence with the Hoback makes a convenient take out. The lower half of this 10 miles of creek includes one significant Class III rapid. A well-maintained Forest Service road parallels the creek allowing for many shorter options. Finish the day with a soak in Granite Hot Springs. In addition to the developed commercial pool above Granite Falls, there is a free “hippy pool” just below the falls.

Paddle: 10 miles Class II (III)

Gradient: 50 fpm

Season: May – early July

Minimum Flow: 800cfs on the Greys River, a similar drainage

Amy McCarthy, Hoback River

Hoback River: This Wild and Scenic paddle is a local favorite. Fun whitewater, a scenic canyon, and easy access makes this a Jackson Hole classic. Seven miles up stream of Hoback Junction the Stinking Springs Bridge and parking area make a convenient put in. Packrafters often park at the Hoback Market, an easy walk from the public boat ramp, which is just upstream of the Snake River confluence.

Paddle: 7 miles, Class III
Season: April - October
Gradient: 30 fpm
Minimum Flow: 400cfs on the Greys River, a parallel drainage

Wyatt Roscoe, Snake River

Snake River Canyon: Alpine Canyon on the Snake River is one of the West’s classic whitewater runs. No matter the water level there is always plenty of fun to be had. Peak flows in late spring can produce class IV rapids and epic big-water features. Before and after peak flows the “Canyon” provides consistent class III whitewater, a safe and enjoyable place to develop and improve whitewater packrafting skills. The standard put in is the West Table Boat Ramp and the standard take out is the Sheep Creek Boat Ramp 10 miles downriver. Packrafters have had good luck parking at the put in and hitching a ride back from the take out at Sheep Creek.

Paddle: 8 miles, Class III (IV)

Gradient: 25 fpm

Season: April - October

Minimum Flow: 300cfs

Thomas Turiano, Snake River

Spread Creek: This is a true backcountry packrafting adventure with road access. Before Spread Creek cuts through the Leidy Highlands Roadless Area it passes under two bridges that are easily accessed from Forest Road 30168. This Forest Road is on the west side of Togwotee Pass next to the Blackrock Ranger Station. Twelve miles after Spread Creek passes under the second bridge the creek emerges into open sagebrush, a large diversion dam, Forest Road 30290, and soon after Grand Teton National Park. This is the take out. In between is a real adventure that includes an exciting Class III rapid and the occasional downed tree or logjam.

Paddle: 12 miles, Class III

Gradient: 60 fpm

Season: May - June

Minimum Flow: 1,000cfs onPacific Creek, a similar drainage

Expert (Class IV-V)

Wyatt Roscoe, East Fork River

Lower Gros Ventre River: In 1925, following the melt from a heavy snowpack and several weeks of heavy rain, a massive landslide on Sheep Mountain blocked the Gros Ventre River creating Slide Lake. Soon after, the upper most part of the earthen dam failed carving out a steep and fantastic section of whitewater. While packrafters have braved this stout run during high water in June, most prefer to run it later in the summer. The start of the run is the outlet of Slide Lake and the take out is just before the Grand Teton National Park boundary.

Paddle: 3 miles, Class IV

Gradient: 70 fpm

Season: July -September

Minimum Flow: 300cfs

Lower Greys River: The home of the legendary Snaggletooth Rapid is one of the region’s best stretches of roadside whitewater. Soon after the Squaw Creek bridge put in, the river narrows, bends, and drops producing several miles of nearly continuous whitewater fun. The water mellows at Bridge Campground and the takeout.

Paddle: 2 miles, Class IV

Gradient: 90 fpm

Season: July – September

Minimum Flow: 400cfs

Derek Collins, Teton River

Teton River: Over several million years the Yellowstone Supervolcano blanketed eastern Idaho in hundreds of feet of volcanic debris. The Teton River that drains the snowy western flank of the mighty Teton Range has carved its way through Yellowstone ash, creating a wild, turbulent and beautiful canyon.

This is not a run for the meek. Don’t let the first few miles of flat water below highway 33 fool you. The rest of the run consists of long complex rock gardens punctuated by Class IV+ drops. Midway is a mandatory portage around the Felt Power Plant. Below the confluence with Bitch Creek, the river, once inundated by the backwaters of the short-lived Teton Dam, is of pool and drop character. Near where power lines re-cross theriver a rough two-track on river right is the best exit and leads to Highway 32. The best time to run this in a packraft is mid to late summer after peak flow.

Paddling: 12 miles, Class IV+

Gradient: 50 fpm (100 fpm)

Season: July-September

Flows: 300-1,000 cfs