Sevy Falls

The Jarbidge River is located within a section of the Humbolt Toiyabe National Forest at the Idaho-Nevada border. Because this river has no reservoirs and is not easily accessible, it has become a premier destination for kayakers and rafters. There is a BLM campground and put-in area two miles downstream from the town of Murphy, just below the confluence of the river's east and west forks.

For the first 16 miles or so, the water is swift, gaining speed as the river narrows. In the area, look for juniper trees, red volcanic cliffs, hoodoos, and sheer canyon walls. However, there are no rapids greater than Class III until mile 16.5, the point known as Sevy Falls. Here, fallen trees, overhanging branches, and log jams are common as the torrent reaches Class IV proportions.

In some years, it is possible to take a kayak through Sevy Falls for an exhilarating ride, but as of this writing, debris and a major rock sieve have obstructed the Jarbidge River about a half a mile below the rapids, so a portage is advisable for kayakers and mandatory for rafts of 12 feet or larger. A trail that extends for several miles can be found along the right bank.