Park and play spot
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=10608
Printed Date: 19 Oct 2025 at 5:29am
Topic: Park and play spot
Posted By: Surftheearth
Subject: Park and play spot
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2011 at 3:00pm
| I just got a new boat after 10 years and am dying to paddle! Are there any park and play spots people can recommend? |
Replies:
Posted By: kurle
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2011 at 6:19pm
|
Hey Surftheearth!
I LOVE some good ol' P&P! here's what i know of:
Split Rock Wave on the skykomish - 5000-6000 cfs http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/rapid.asp?featureid=7&task=view&riverid=586 - http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/rapid.asp?featureid=7&task=view&riverid=586
Ben howard wave on the sky is awesome too, but it comes and goes. I believe it's currently gone... (sad face) The entire wenatchee play run during spring runoff http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=669 - http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=669 paradise ledge on the green ~1300cfs http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/rapid.asp?featureid=21&task=view&riverid=448 - http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/rapid.asp?featureid=21&task=view&riverid=448 during flood - the mosh pit on the soleduck http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=608 - http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=608and the naselle has a similar feature. I've never been.
Shelton washington has some nice treats just off the 101 on goldsborough creek. ive been there at 450 and 550 cfs so far. both were great levels. not sure of a top end, but i'd say 400cfs is as low as you'd want to go. Be mindful of the wood hazards out there. definitely bring a buddy.
i believe the elwah has some playspots on it, as well as surfing at the mouth.
Also - donkeyfIip.com is a great playboating resource for the NW, but the site is under maintenance and i'm not sure when it'll be back up.
Hope that helps
 -Matt
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Posted By: Surftheearth
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2011 at 7:58pm
| Thanks!!! |
Posted By: jzgold
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2011 at 11:22pm
| is there an online gauge for goldsborough creek? where is the former dam site? |
Posted By: Jed Hawkes
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2011 at 7:24am
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IT's on the NWRFC page http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?GBCW1 ------------- The line will become apparent 978-273-7723 |
Posted By: kurle
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2011 at 7:50pm
|
USGS Gauge: http://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=12076800&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065
Directions to Dam Site: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?gl=us&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=205050962977591172318.00049f9614d9f302d8883&ll=47.209978,-123.121548&spn=0.019766,0.055747&t=h&z=15 |
Posted By: GECKO
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2011 at 8:38pm
|
Going north hwy 101 take the Shelton/Matlock exit, at stop sign turn left under the over pass(youll pass a park and ride on your right) there will be a road a couple hundred ft ahead on the right leading towards a ford dealer the road wraps around and youll see a gate(big field for parking) hike beyond the gate and it will put you right in place. Kurle, i live in Shelton its a backyard fun spot and its great to see youve enjoyed the treats as well. Always lots of wood while its flowing good. Hope more get to enjoy. ------------- EVERY MAN DREAMS BUT NOT EQUALLY... |
Posted By: kurle
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2011 at 8:14pm
| Hey Gecko - what's it like with more water? waves??? Bigger Holes???? might be in for some higher flows this weekend... |
Posted By: GECKO
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2011 at 5:29pm
|
Kurle- The creek fills up very quickly after a coupe days of good rain. Right now it is flowing real good, as of yesterday the majority of the wood was out of the way and pretty clean.(There is one hole with a nasty piece of wood that I have yet to cut out and could cause a problem) The play spots become alot more pronounced . Do you come thru Shelton much? ------------- EVERY MAN DREAMS BUT NOT EQUALLY... |
Posted By: kurle
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2011 at 8:05pm
| sweet, thanks for the info. i'm thinking about heading out that way sunday afternoon. hopefully i'll see ya out there |
Posted By: GECKO
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2011 at 9:58pm
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No prob glad to help. I should be around but was thinkin about goin and checkin out Vance Creek. Have you ever been? ------------- EVERY MAN DREAMS BUT NOT EQUALLY... |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2011 at 7:36am
|
Hi Gecko
I live just down the highway from Goldsborough on Steamboat Island Road ... i have looked at it many times since the dam came out and always thought it had tons of potential , but it always had TONS of wood in it .... they seem to have cabled logs and stumps in place to "help" the fish ..... i havent looked at it in a few years .... maby its cleaner now they basicaly came soooo close to maken the first western WA play park there ..... or maby they did by mistake ....
im gona check it out this morning before heading to the Tilton for another epic bigwater day of surfing
gimi a call sometime i paddle all the time localy
as for Vance its a great run , but wood is always a problem and you need a TON of water for it to be realy fun ... if you can hardly drive through the water over the skok road , Vance will be great IF its clean ... havent been in there for a few years
Chris 360 867 1921
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Posted By: GECKO
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2011 at 7:50am
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Hey BW- Yeah it is pretty sweet they unintentionally made a little park. Yes they do have cable logs ans stumps but they are out of the way for the most part but all the drifting wood catches and has the potential to stay for a long while. I have also been wondering about the Tilton, I have heard its a great run... Thanks for the heads up with Vance Creek. Lots of ledges?? Anything besides the wood issues there?? ------------- EVERY MAN DREAMS BUT NOT EQUALLY... |