JUMP RIVER (Price Co., WI, 20 mi. east of Ladysmith)

LENGTH 1 mi., CLASS III-IV, GRADIENT:

SEASON: Really high water for a week or two in early spring, then dropping to more moderate flows for a couple weeks.

PUT-IN: Big Falls County Park in the southwest corner of Price County. Turn west onto Big Falls Rd. a few yards north of the County Hwy. N bridge across the river. After 1.0 miles turn left and continue straight to the picnic shelter. The put-in at the top of the rapid is down the trail from the picnic shelter.

TAKEOUT: A mile downstream.

GAGE: USGS gage at Sheldon 13 mi. downstream from the main rapids. 1800 cfs is the minimum flow.

FUN FACT: Can roar to life at up to 10,000 cfs with the spring melt. About a mile of continuous whitewater that you can run over and over again. There are also campsites here.

SHUTTLE: Walk back up and do it again. The hike is shorter than the rapid.

The main rapid is Big Falls which provides some excitement for a few short days during the spring thaw. There are some other rapids on this river (class II) and you can do a run of up to 20 miles in length. For a longer run you can start somewhere near the Price Co. Hwy. M bridge or Co. Hwy. I bridge and end at the Hwy. 73 Bridge in Taylor County near the town of Jump River.