Looking down onto Sheepeater Rapid from a cliff that is a short scramble (up loose talus) above the trail.
The Middle Fork Canyon below Sheepater Campsite.
Hikers make a rising traverse above Johns Camp (RM 15.3) through trees blackened in the 2008 wildfires.
Looking across a fire-impacted landscape near Lake Creek Camp (RM 14.9)
The fire scars do provide a better perspective of the landscape.
The rapid at Greyhound (RM16) has been clogged with debris from a fire-related debris flow that thundered down Greyhound Creek.
The undergrowth of grasses and shrubs is healthy and well along the river trail.
The trail climbs high above Big Snag Camp to offer this view downstream onto Cannon Creek rapid (RM 20).
Looking back upstream on the patchwork fire scars from 2008. Big Snag camp (RM 19.8) is located at the base of the lone dead ponderosa tree.
A commercial outfitter "deadheading" boats to Indian Creek floats the first 25 miles of the river in a single day.
Lake Creek Rapid (21.7) is another new landslide rapid that has been evolving since the fires in 2000.
Thankfully, some of the beautiful towering ponderosas survived th fires. These trees are actaully very specifically adapted to thrive with wildfire.
Pistol creek enters the Middle Fork. This would be a great backpackers camp.
Entry gate marking the edge of the Pistol Creek Ranch (RM 22.8) private property (hikers a welcome to cross)
Osprey standing guard over it's nest.
Night two destination, Indian Creek (RM 27). This is the gravel bar at the mouth of the creek.