Dosewallips, WA

Elkhorn Canyon

Elkhorn Canyon
Photo of Paul Heffernan by Scott Collins taken May 29, 2004

River Description

SEASON: Throughout the year when water is low and put-in access is not snowed in.

LOGISTICS: From Highway 101 travel 11 miles west along the Dosewallips River Road 2610 to Elkhorn campground and the take-out. To reach the put-in continue up 2610 another 2.5 miles to the base of Upper Dosewallips Falls. NOTE: A washout 1 mile before the campground has closed road access to this run (you can still hike in). If this road is repaired it's unlikely that it will happen before summer 2006. Contact Steve Ricketts in the USFS Quilcene office at 360-765-2200 if you'd like to make a comment on the proposal for the future of this road (options include rebuilding at the washout or developing a new trailhead and leaving road access closed beyond the washout).

DESCRIPTION:

Steep creek run in a boulder-filled gorge with a number of mandatory portages.

lat/long very approximate from tiger map server

for additional information see:

• Korb, G. 1997. A paddlers guide to the Olympic Peninsula. third edition.
• local expert: Gary Korb & Carol Volk, 4930 Geiger Road, Port Orchard, WA 98366, 206-876-6780
• Bennett, J. and T. Bennett. 1997. A guide to the whitewater rivers of Washington, second edition. Swiftwater Publishing. Portland, OR.
• Hood Canal Ranger District, North - USFS Olympic National Forest web site
• Olympic National Park website