Jon Dufay called me at work at 1:30 and asked if I could go boating.  The question wasn't, "Can you go boating," it was "Should you go boating?" as I pondered all of the stuff I had to get done for school.  About 2 seconds later I decided to ditch all that stuff and just go...  I never regret those choices once I get to the put-in anyway.

We made great time up to the Gorge as usual.  We arrived at Paradise in less than an hour from Tacoma, which is amazing to me.  Its great to be able to get so far out of town without driving too far.  When you are down in the Gorge, its hard to believe that you are so close to civilization.  It is one of those really remote feeling, but not that remote runs.  Good stuff for sure.

Its really easy to mess up the shuttle here, even though its just two turns.  There are two put-ins for the section, but I prefer the one past the park at the bridge.  It adds a few rapids and is free.  Just drive past the park and keep going until you reach the bridge that crosses the river.  Park on the right side in the gravel area.

Tobin and Jon float under the bridge at the put-in.

The first rapid of consequence is right past the bright red sign.  Don't let this sign fool you.. its just for drunk, incompetent locals with inner tubes and beer... better leave the "river boating" to the professionals guys...

Jon going past the "Dangerous River Conditions Ahead" sign.

The rapid below the red sign.  There is a large ledge hole on river right.  Usually the center line is the best bet.

A few corners down from this rapid is corner with a decent surf wave at some flows.  It wasn't in today, but there were some great eddy lines and powerful currents.

Rapid with good play at the bottom at certain flows.

The scenery on the gorge is great.  There are lots of huge boulders and big rock walls.  Lots of the walls are undercut or just overhung, which makes for a remote and beautiful setting.

One corner on the Green River gorge.

There are some really fun rapids with large boulders and cut away rocks.  They are all pretty good to go, but be careful for wood.  There are lots of trees down in and around this river, and as the water comes up this spring, these are bound to move and get stuck somewhere.

Dufay running between two large boulders.  A friend of mine cracked a rib in this drop getting hit by wood on the side of her lifejacket.

Directly below the drop above is a river wide tree.  This will move eventually, but we just ran around the far right side.  There isn't much current here, but it is a hazardous spot.

Below this log is Pipeline, a nice wave hole that is reminiscent of Hawaii's finest... well, maybe not that good.  The wave comes across the river from the left bank on a hard right turn.  The safe line is far right, but it is good to go through the middle.  Tobin got hit pretty hard here by the wave.  The current below is very strong, making for a difficult roll... he swam, but we got all his stuff.

Tobin about to get served in Pipeline.

Downstream of Pipeline there are powerlines running overhead, signaling the approach of Mercury and The Nozzle.  These two rapids aren't very difficult individually, but back to back they push into Class IV.

Power lines overhead signal the entrance to Mercury and The Nozzle.

Mercury is pretty straight forward.  There are some big holes and waves as the river flows left around the corner.  This can be run just about anyway.  I think the left side is easiest, but there are a few big holes to dodge.  Scout from the eddy on the left just above it.

Directly below this is The Nozzle, which is a collection of large boulders that block the river with a few narrow channels.  The far right channel is a dangerous rock sieve.  The middle (widest) channel is good to go, and the left is kind of a mess as well.

Tobin looks on as Jon surfs the wave below The Nozzle.

Right below The Nozzle is an excellent surf wave at flows 1,400-2,200.  It isn't very retentive, but has eddy service and is good for blunts, spins, and the occasional loop.  There is also a large boulder garden below here that has some carnage possibility.  Go any way you want, but stay off these undercut rocks.  This would be hazardous to swimmers more than anyone else.

Jon in the boulder garden below The Nozzle.  He is running left and then between the boulders.  The easiest line is cutting right at the top (picture left)  You can go right, left, or between these.

nThere isn't much else other than the beautiful canyon until the last rapid, Paradise Rapid.  You can see this one coming up at the bridge comes into view ahead.  The best line is left, but staying out (or in :-)) the holes that form along the wall.  The falls are at the bottom of the rapid and provide a huge reward for paddlers that have come down the gorge.

Approaching Paradise.  Beautiful gorge, waterfalls too!

Above Paradise Ledge.  Deep, mossy, beautiful gorge.  Only accessible by kayak.  Epic.

The Paradise Ledge is a classic play spot that has a perfect location.  I can't think of another playspot I have ever been at that is this perfect in such a remote and beautiful spot.  The ledge is good for surfing between 1200 and 1600, but blows out totally above 1800.  It is also a bit shallow below 1300, so the window of opportunity here is small.  Fortunately, because of the dam release, it is usually pretty stable when it is in.

Jon Dufay rips it up in Paradise Ledge.  1610 was one of the best flows I've ever seen here.

Great for loops at this level.  So sweet.

Paradise is some of the best play on this side of the Cascades.

Dufay brings it around.

For another adventure on the Green River Gorge, check out this older trip report:  Green River Gorge, WA  (2200cfs)

daysontheriver.com

All content © Jonathan Blum, 2004-2008 • Contact webmaster
No part of this page may be reproduced, copied, sold, or used for promotional materials without the express written permission of Daysontheriver.com.