Whitewater Forum: North Fork Quinault below Kitma Creek

North Fork Quinault below Kitma Creek

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URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12145
Printed Date: 13 Oct 2025 at 4:04am

Topic: North Fork Quinault below Kitma Creek

Posted By: The NZA
Subject: North Fork Quinault below Kitma Creek
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2012 at 9:07pm

And main fork above Pony Bridge ...

So I was backpacking up on the the N Fork Quinault last weekend, and there are some cool looking canyons below Kitma Creek that I thought might be fin to get into. Anyone done that stretch? I guess Geoduck Creek to Kitma is class V, but from the stretches I saw, these ones looked no more than class III. There is a mention of this section on Amer Whitewater that said everything below Kitma is class II. Anyone done this section? I was thinking of taking my packraft up there ... would be a good day trip up to Elip Creek and back down to the Lake.

Also, it looks like Enchanted Valley to Pony Bridge is runable, and maybe not as difficult as the lower class IV-V canyon.

There are also some cool little side creek sections up in there that could be fun in a packraft.

Let me know if anyone has done this and/or is interested in hiking in and running these sections if that proves possible ... I am really not ready to go much beyond class III at this point but would like to find some more experienced paddlers who might want to explore these areas.

Replies:

Posted By: zenofww
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2012 at 7:43am

Just below Kimta creek the canyons that you mentioned are mostly class 3 but with a handful of class 4 rapids sprinkled in there. We were pleasantly surprised when we went through since we thought it was all going to be flatwater.

The upper canyon is second on my list of the most beautiful river/creeks Ive ever seen. Fantastic place.

Posted By: The NZA
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2012 at 11:13am

Awesome, thanks! That upper canyon looks beautiful for sure. So if it's your 2nd most beautiful canyon/creek. it begs the question: what's the 1st?

Posted By: AdamG
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2012 at 1:54pm

We paddled the EF Quinault (or just the Quinault on some maps) from Pony Bridge to the campground this past winter and I would say the same thing as zenofww - its a special place. I took a handful of crappy photos on that trip and they are posted on the river page. I can't speak to the NF but cant help but daydream a EF/NF doubleheader.

The river at Pony Bridge is absolutely stunning. The section upstream of the bridge looks just as enticing as downstream.

Cant wait to get back over there and see how far Im willing to carry my sh*t

Posted By: zenofww
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2012 at 3:28pm

Dipper Creek, BC.

Posted By: The NZA
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2012 at 4:55pm

Chetco looks completely amazing! That is definitely on my list of places to packraft. Let me know how it goes, and if you wanna get into the N Quinault sometime. Would love to get back in there with someone who has more experience (I have a tendency to get in over my head!) Just watched a video from Dipper Creek and ... wow.

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