Wow. Thanks Jon for bringing attention to this. Recent access to the Chehalis sucks (thanks Weyerhaeuser), but there's some great paddling on that river. The gorge above Pe Ell is a little gem, and the runs upstream are unique and have some good play.

Ah, Crim Creek. That was a little exploratory adventure with Gary Korb and crew. Unfortunately, early in the run at the first or second ledge drop, there was a FU branch or small tree coming off the bank, angled across the lip at chest level, right where you wanted to be. We tried having someone on the bank pull and hold the bugger out of the way, at first with hands, then with a rope. The branch won that tug of war. So I had the bright idea to whip out my river knife and notch it so that when pulled it might snap. River knives were a new phenomenon at the time, and I wanted to use it for something! Once again, the branch won, and I sliced a gash into my index finger right down to the bone. Luckily, we had some duct tape, and found an old greasy rag in the woods to use as a compress. At that point I bailed, got to the road and back to my car, where I headed to the hospital for stitches. But every time (like right now) I look at my hand and see that scar, I think of Crim Creek!    

As for documentation, I'm pretty sure that experience predated video, or even photography! Maybe not, but it occurred back at a time when documentation wasn't the norm, nor required to make something a reality.       

I used to paddle the Chehailis a lot 15 or 20 years ago. It's close to Oly and I had some great adventures in there when I first started boating. Saw my first rain on snow flood event up close and personal on the upper chehalis. I also saw my first red neck couch burning party back in those roads. It's no wounder it's locked up, since the locals love to burn couches and blast them with shotguns till the ground is 2 inches deep with shotgun shells. I was upset to lose the run to the gates, but the dam would be even worse!

Speaking of gates..... At least you can buy a Key,but it doesn't seem worth it for that drainage. I did however buy the key to the Saint Helen's farm this year, wich opens up the southern green, kalama, coweimen and 318,000 acers of posibility. If anyone wants to boat down there this season leme know.

So I just got my key and it seems that I can only bring one of the 2 cars on my permit in at a time! WTF...how are we supposed to shuttle! Anyone else want to fork out the 300$ for the key so we can have to cars? Last I looked they had less than 50 permits left for the Saint Helen's farm.