Lief!
I'm thinking about the Wind or maybe the Hood.  I'm going to buy a raft down there from Zollers if its to my liking.  Lets stay in touch Williams is in too...
Franz

are you thinking all weekend?  I'm up for a all day rally Saturday or leave Friday, boat Saturday, then head home Sat. night.

What is Hood River projected to do??   The West Fork is a great river from 4.7ft to ~7ft. 


I might be up for Gorge weekend. 

CEDAR RIVER RACE.

There's so much water in the PNW, and so many rivers and creeks-- but it's not every weekend that you can go to a slalom race practically right in Seattle.

No offense, but a lot of the "new comers" to the sport (and "expert paddlers" alike), could stand to open themselves up to the facets of the river that slalom reveals. You know who you are.

Most paddlers now a days act like slalom is passe, outmoded, or somethin.

In fact it is still every bit as relevant as any other whitewater discipline. I will assert that paddling smoothly and with finesse should be one of the main aspirations of every paddler (not that I always manage to do so myself).

And for those concerned about "the community", try connecting to a different aspect of it for one weekend out of the year. I think it would be cool to see some Professor Paddle people "crash" the event, so to speak.

http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr&gage=hodo3&view=1,1,1,1,1,1 Here's the Hood River forecast gauge.....think the WF will be a little low.  Talked to some locals this past weekend and they think the road is clear up to the first bridge.  Wish I could join you guys this weekend.

I missed that one when some of my friends ran it not long ago. They gave it "mixed reviews". Personally I want to check it out. I'll paddle anything once.

CC is at 1300, almost makes me want to do the portage...

Actually, the eddy at the top of "death falls" isn't that bad, assuming the level isn't off the chart.  At lower flows you can also hop out RR, portage a bit down the bank, and put back in about halfway down the drop.  Eddies on both sides leading up to it.  Just don't be asleep at the wheel.  The drop to be wary that seems to get no mention is one with a hidden sieve slot.  It can easily be missed, or portaged, but it sneaks up on you shortly after a sharp left bend.  The higher the level, the less the sieve is in play.  Oh, and there's always some wood - usually in the lower 1/3rd.   

JP - Next weekend is EF Lewis Race.  They moved the venue, though, like you, I'd like to get in and check out the CC Lewis portage.

I may go down next weekend, but just Fri/Sat.  I've got to come back up Sat night.