North Fork Smith River (California)
| North Fork Smith River | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| States | Oregon, California |
| County | Curry County, Oregon, Del Norte County, California |
| Source | Klamath Mountains |
| - location | Chetco Peak, Kalmiopsis Wilderness, Curry County, Oregon |
| - elevation | 3,879 ft (1,182 m) |
| - coordinates | 42°08′16″N 123°56′49″W / 42.13778°N 123.94694°W |
| Mouth | Smith River |
| - location | Gasquet, Del Norte County, California |
| - elevation | 315 ft (96 m) |
| - coordinates | 41°50′52″N 123°58′08″W / 41.84778°N 123.96889°WCoordinates: 41°50′52″N 123°58′08″W / 41.84778°N 123.96889°W |
| Length | 28 mi (45 km) |
| Basin | 158 sq mi (409 km2) |
| Discharge | |
| - average | 942 cu ft/s (27 m3/s) |
 Location of the mouth of the North Fork Smith River in California
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The North Fork Smith River is 28-mile (45 km) tributary of the Smith River that begins in the U.S. state of Oregon and ends in the U.S. state of California. Arising near Chetco Peak in the Klamath Mountains, it flows generally south to meet the Middle Fork Smith River at Gasquet, California. The combined streams form the Smith River.
The entire 13 miles (21 km) of the river that lie within Oregon are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In 1988, 8.5 miles (13.7 km) was designated "wild" in two separate segments, from the headwaters to Horse Creek and from Baldface Creek to the Oregon–California border. The 4.5-mile (7.2 km) stretch between Horse and Baldface creeks was classified "scenic".
Hiking trails near the North Fork include North Fork Trail, which follows a ridge along the southeast edge of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon. Suitable for hikers and horseback riders, the 12.4-mile (20.0 km) trail passes through the area of the Biscuit Fire.
Connected to the North Fork Trail is the Baldface Trail, which crosses Baldface Creek, a North Fork tributary. The 6.8-mile (10.9 km) trail, which also passes through the Biscuit Fire area, is suitable for day hiking but not for horse riding.
The North Fork Trail also connects to the Kalmiopsis Rim Trail, which links to a large network of trails in and near the wilderness and other parts of the national forest. The Rim Trail alone is 28.4 miles (45.7 km) long.
Sourdough Campground, undeveloped but open to dispersed camping in a meadow along the river, lies near the confluence of the North Fork with Baldface Creek in Oregon. Further downstream, North Fork Campground is about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) from the lower river on the California side of the border in Six Rivers National Forest. The remote campground, open all year, has five sites for tent or trailer camping, picnic tables, fire rings, a vault toilet, and limited parking, but no drinking water or garbage pickup.
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Wikipedia