Whitewater Forum: Olympic Peninsula
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Olympic Peninsula

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=14759
Printed Date: 27 Sep 2025 at 1:04pm


Topic: Olympic Peninsula
Posted By: Mike55
Subject: Olympic Peninsula
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2015 at 11:56pm
Anyone recommend a good class 2 run suitable for a beginner with minimal wood on the west side of the peninsula?




Replies:
Posted By: jalmquist
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2015 at 3:39pm
Hi Mike,
 
"Good" is somewhat subjective, as is "suitable for a beginner".  And I've never paddled any of these. so I can't provide first-hand info.  But I've heard positive reports (from a class II perspective) for the below stretches.  These stretches are all described in the guidebook "A Paddler's Guide to the Olympic Peninsula" by Gary Korb.  Unfortunately, this guidebook is out-of-print, but you can often access it via a library, and I've found copies in used book stores.       
 
 
Hoh (taking out at Oxbow campground just off of Hwy 101); the Bogachiel (down to 101 or from 101 down past confluence with Calawah - this lower stretch is easier); the Calawah (from the NF / SF Calawah confluence down to or beyond 101); the Sol Duc (from the Hatchery / Mosh Pit to one of many accesses downstream); the Clearwater (below Upper Clearwater Camp Ground); Queets (below Queets Camp Ground / Sams river confluence).      
 
As for the wood situation, I can't speak.  Rivers are dynamic - especially those found on the west side of the OP - and the wood situation can change year to year, or even day to day.  And unfortunately, the west side OP class II rivers see limited use from kayakers, so we seldom get reports on the wood situation.  These are larger rivers which see quite a bit of fishing activity, so you might be able to get a wood report from that community.     


Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2015 at 9:55pm
North fork quinalt, quinalt, wynoochee. There are many good options for you.



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