White Salmon River, Middle, WA
By Jonathan Blum
  Class:  III+ (IV)
Trip date:  5/24/2006
River flow:  4.65 feet on Husom gauge
Length:  7 miles

People:  Jonathan Blum, Chris Morin, Dan
Boat: Dagger Kingpin 6.3
 

Dan, Chris, and I got a late start on the Middle section as Dan drove up and asked, “Hey, you guys want to go? NOW?!  We threw it all together in less than 10 minutes and were on our way to BZ Corner.

Dan and I put in above the Maytag rapid, which you can access by taking the trail to the left as you head down to the stairs into the river.  At lower water levels, this is a fun, multi-drop Class IV rapid with some fun ledges, but with the river running high, it is a fast, hole filled maze with a few big hits.  Some of the waves in it are really good for play at this level, but there are a few that you wouldn't want to get near at all.  The final drop, Top Drop, is easiest run on the right, and gets more difficult the closer to the middle you get.  This can be a real sticky hole at the higher flows, so be careful with it.

Below top drop the river keeps going at a fast pace.  There is a seriously undercut cave about 1⁄4 mile down on the right side as the river bends left.  This could be a major hazard for anyone in the water swimming, but is pretty obvious.  Hug the inside left bank of the first corner past Maytag if you are unsure about where this is.

The river is a non-stop ride for the first 3 miles at this flow, until you reach the Water Spout.  First, there is Grasshopper.  This rapid has a huge hole on the right side as you go down.  It is easy to miss, but could flip a raft or totally work an unlucky kayaker.

As the river goes around the next bend you get to Corkscrew, which resembles a white mess at the higher flow.  The line is down the right side, and you may need to slip under the tree branches to make the idea line.  This drop is super fast and super fun, but be sure to avoid the nasty hole on the left side and it may flip you straight over backwards… its that kind of rapid.

The next good one is the Water Spout.  I think this is the most difficult one on the run at this level.  The entire river comes into one big crest and then drops into a huge sideways hole.  I never really know how to run this, but going straight off the tongue has worked with some success.  I usually get launched into the air here and then come back down into the hole and get flipped.  It wont keep you though.. Just toss you around a bit.

There isn't much from here down.  There are a few fun play waves and not much else.  The Stair Case is always interesting and the next rapid around the corner from there has an awesome surf wave in it.  It goes almost across the whole river and could easily surf a raft.  Its a really easy wave for beginner surfers to catch.  Pretty sweet.  Down about a mile is the take out, and we didn't run Husom Falls.  The level is just too powerful at this flow, and although I'm sure its runable, there sure aren't many people doing it.  Have fun out there!

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.