White water in August
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=9645
Printed Date: 11 Jul 2025 at 1:28am
Topic: White water in August
Posted By: jkerr121
Subject: White water in August
Date Posted: 24 May 2010 at 1:30pm
| I'm a white water kayaker from Texas and I am going to be heading up to Seattle for a meeting the 22nd of August. My friend kelly and I are coming a few days early and we would love to paddle some local white water level III+ - IV. Surf spots and river running would be great. We heard the water is a bit low in August but wanted to know about some good spots. We haven't paddled on the West coast (we're most familiar with east coast maryland, pennsylvania, throughout texas, and Mexico) and would love any information you could give us. We are flying up with our own personal gear but would need to borrow or rent kayaks for a few days. Also, if you know anyone that wouldn't mind going on a river trip or two... company would be great! |
Replies:
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 24 May 2010 at 1:42pm
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This august will be hit and miss for boating around here. You will find a ton of things that require a little drive but are well worthwhile. You will have alot more options that are creekish than river play but thats the general truth about later season boating. You get higher up in the drainages, you get less water and you usually get steeper. For your skill range I would suggest: http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=528 - Nooksack and http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=677 - White Salmon but both will be low for the play. The best run to hit would be a combo http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=4081 - Nahatlatch / http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=4077 - Thompson . The nahatlatch will be pretty low but still plenty fun and the canyon will be easier, while the thompson should be going right into it's primo range during that time. Of course you can check out the http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=1033 - Skook too but that is a bit more driving than the nahatlatch and more involved logistically for timing. If you went to skook you could also tap the http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=4099 - Elaho on the way in or out. |
Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 24 May 2010 at 3:46pm
Yeah, in August the best whitewater in Washington is in BC. 
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Posted By: JoesKayak
Date Posted: 24 May 2010 at 3:59pm
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James suggestion are about the best I can think of... late August it's getting to be pretty slim pickins, especially in a year with a lower than normal snowpack like we have this year. Here's a couple more options to note: The Skagit is a beautiful run that runs all summer due to dam releases. However, it's basically a float with a couple of 2s and 3s thrown in. http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=579 The Sultan is closer to Seattle than the other runs listed. It's usually low this time of year, but sometimes summer releases from the powerplant are sufficient for paddling. You can contact the plant operators to find out what the release is forecast to be. http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=634 The Suiattle is another option. The rapids are just 2-3, but sometimes wood is a problem, so I'd check here and see if anyone's been on it recently. If we get hot weather in August it could be running as it drains the glaciers on Glacier Peak. http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=630 Then again, if we get some freak August rainstorms lots of other stuff could come in (it happens once ever few years) but it would be a real short window. If that happens while you're here you can consider that hitting the jackpot. |
Posted By: up4air
Date Posted: 24 May 2010 at 5:08pm
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there's whitewater in Texas? ------------- More water, please. |
Posted By: altasnob
Date Posted: 24 May 2010 at 6:24pm
| Head to Neah Bay, La Push, or Westport on the coast for some kayak surf. |
Posted By: jkerr121
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 7:36am
| I know hard to believe but there is white water in texas. We have even held olympic team trials in San Marcos! We do have to wait for rain sometimes but hey the water is warm year round! |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 11:18am
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Basically from Seattle, you're looking at 4 hrs + no matter what. Like everyone said, BC will host the most (options). The White Salmon will be good, though. This year Mt Adams has better snow pack than the rest of Washington.
Suiattle? Not a huge fan, personally. Lots of wood on a class II run composed mostly of small bowling ball sized rock gardens. Find a river somewhere that is more channelized where the river corridor is comprised of larger bed rock.
White Salmon. You can run the standard class III run, and there's a 10' waterfall (Hussum Falls) that is fun to lap, and easy to portage. Also, above the put in for that stretch is the Orletta section, tacking on a few class IV rapids and a gnarly waterfall you'll most likely portage (BZ Falls)
BC (lots of options, depending on how far you are willing to drive)
but let us not forget Seattle's closest year 'round fix: (only an hour or so away form the city!)
The Skykomish. Perhaps no one has mentioned it because no one is sure what the water levels will be like on it in august this year. We'll have to wait and see. If it is at least 600 cfs though it can offer some fun low water class III. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 11:38am
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I am always smiling in the drop at 600 cfs because despite what people might say, that thing is still quality with a big fat !Q! I feel another little boulder brawl coming on with a side of carnage asada!!! |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 12:17pm
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Yeah, just watch that last ledge in B.D. at any flow below 1,000. Don't flip above it and wash into it upside down-- You will hit rock at enough speed to get potentially hurt really bad. Spread the word. ------------- 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋 |