California Boater Heading North
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13639
Printed Date: 19 Dec 2025 at 3:24pm
Topic: California Boater Heading North
Posted By: jwheel83
Subject: California Boater Heading North
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2013 at 5:53pm
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I'm a California hard shell kayaker with a lot of time off coming up due to the holidays, and the state is pretty much dry right now (and nothing in the forecast). I've been thinking about heading north to boat, but can't find anyone who wants to head up with me. Basically looking for input on things running in Oregon/Washington (or what might be running), and also looking for resources to meet people since I'll be by myself. Considering I'll mostly be meeting up with strangers I'll probably want to keep the rivers class IV and under. I boat class IV+, but I am not a solid class IV+ boater. I have an old guide book, but advice from locals would be better than trying to figure this out on my own. Especially what river people are on this time of year, or if I even have much of a chance of meeting people to boat with.
Thanks in advance for any help, Jeff |
Replies:
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2013 at 10:20pm
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damn, homez-- your post has sat here for more than 24hrs now, slowly sinking into the dark murky underworld where all threads eventually die...
No one has responded? Time for a bump. Ok, so are you driving up? Flying up? How far ya willing to drive? My first inclination is to tell you to just go to the White Salmon. We're having some dry spells up here but that could change any day soon. Not sure if the White Salmon is bang'n right now but its gotta be boatable. The "Main" section from BZ to Hussum is great III+ with a class IV waterfall. Based on how you outlined your skill bracket, not sure if the Farmlands section of the White Salmon (class IV-IV+) is up your alley or not. Its a narrow canyon and while not too hard, it can give people trouble. Keep in mind that a lot of out of state boaters (maybe mostly east coasters) tend to think we rate stuff a bit stiff here. Its so subjective though its really hard to say. You got the Wind river, but its pretty solid IV and may or may not be running when your here. Not sure on that only run it a few times. Drive a little further north and, rain gods permitting, you could get lucky enough to hit the East Fork Lewis. Its got two fairly easy waterfalls. People sandbag the run to class III, but I consider it easy class IV. Anyway its "class fun", we can probably all agree. If it was in the cards I'd try to hit that. CC Lewis is practicly next door. Guide book called it V in the late 90's, contemporary boaters tend to place it in the IV+ range. But there are some class V beatdowns a boater could recieve in there for sure. Also a sweet 17'er in there though (Kahuna). If you want to target the Olympic Penninsula, I'd recommend the East Fork Humptulips. Class III, but damn wild and beautiful. Then if the rains permit, you could stretch up to Matheny Creek for more of a IVish experience. You might want plenty of tarps and solid rain gear. The Wynoochee might be cool for ya. If you go to the Penninsula, don't get stepped on by any Ents. They are very abundant out there. Driving up toward Olympia, the Touttle and the Tilton rivers naturally come to mind. Both quality runs, mostly III-III+ with some IVish cruxes, IMO. Hell, now you're practicly up in the Seattle zone with the Green nearby (Class III-IV) it is straight up classic goodness if it happens to be in, but its dam released and I doubt the resevoir is full... The Skykomish on the other hand always runs and is straight up quality III/III+ w/ a really incredible class IV rapid called Boulder Drop. Look on the rivers pages here on this site its pretty comprehensive if sometimes imperfect. Good enough though. Lots of photos and video organized pretty well in one place. Those are the runs that come to mind, and my sketch of the ratings is rough and subjective. Quick n dirty. AW, is of course, also an excellent resource. I wont be available till after New Years, but hopefully someone else will chime in and add some runs I forgot to mention. Those are some of the reliables that seem to fit what you are after. Come on PPeeps- who's gonna roll out the red carpet for this visitor? One final word of caution tho, Jeff-- When you roll into town, when you drop that sick boof, whatever- DO NOT- I repeat- DO NOT throw the Brown Claw. Folks don't take kindly to that 'round here. Ya hear? 
just kiddin you can do whatever the hell you want. Hope you make it up here and sample some PNW winter rains. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |