Lewis, E. Fork, WA

East Fork Lewis

East Fork Lewis
Photo of Steve Corsi by Tom O'Keefe taken 13DEC2003 @ 3200 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

Logistics: This run is often paddled as a continuation of a run starting out on Rock Creek. There may be other access points on the East Fork Lewis upstream of the Rock Creek confluence but private property issues make access and scouting a challenge. The take-out for this section is at Moulton Falls County Park which is 3 miles south of Yacolt on Lucia Falls Road. Scout your take-out carefully so you don't drop into the falls by accident. To reach the put-in continue 0.3 miles north on Lucia Falls Road and turn east on Sunset Falls Road. Continue on this road 2.3 miles and then turn south on Dole Valley Rd (312th Ave) and cross the river. Follow this road 3.9 miles to a bridge across Rock Creek which is the put-in.

Description:

The first part of this run is often on Rock Creek which starts out with class II rapids building to class III+ (full description).

The last few rapids on Rock Creek are a lot of fun but the action really starts once you're on the East Fork Lewis. The section from here down to Moulton Falls provides great class III/IV action that can be enjoyed at higher water. If you've got the play boat you will be treated to a couple miles of continous rapids with stellar surf waves.

At higher flows there are some big holes through this section but skilled paddlers can read and run until you get to a significant horizon line where the river starts to disappear through a bedrock section with most of the current headed for river right. You might want to hop out for a peak at this one if flows are high or you don't know the line. This 100' yard section which comes near the end of the run can get pretty turbulent at higher flows.

A couple more fun rapids finish out the run. Start paying attention once you cross under a timber bridge and the confluence of Yacolt Creek which enters from the right. Moulton Falls is just downstream and eddy space above it is a bit limited. The falls has been run but scout it out carefully before considering a run. You can continue on downstream to the next run on the East Fork Lewis.