The "Upper Middle" traverses wild country on some wild rapids. The forested banks open frequently to gravel and sand beaches with spectacular views of Mt Garfield and Russian Butte. Most of the rapids are Class 2 at normal flows, but there is one Class 3, the Rainy Creek Drop, at just over half a mile in. There is an alternate access point where the road follows the river bank downstream of that rapid if you wish to avoid running it. The put-in site has limited parking, so it's better to park at a pullout downstream or at the parking lot for the Taylor River area trails. A NW Forest or Inter-agency Pass is required to park there.