Satsop, Middle Fork, WA

Fools Canyon

Fools Canyon
Photo by Tom O'Keefe

River Description

FUN FACT: Beautiful bedrock gorge with some great drops but difficult to scout or portage at river level.

SEASON: November to May

LOGISTICS: Head towards Shelton, WA and from Highway 101 mile 347.0 turn onto Dayton-Matlock Road headed west towards Matlock. Stay on this road for 15.2 miles (past a lake circled with vacation homes) to Matlock and there turn right onto West Beeville Road (this is at milepost 16.9). Stay on the main road for 5.0 miles miles (you'll pass farms) and then turn right at the T junction onto Kelley Road. From here it's 1.5 miles to an intersection where 5 forest roads come together. A short spur road, now closed, heads west to the river and the take-out. To reach the put-in, head north on FR 2341. You'll start to parrallel the river, scout carefully along the way, and in 1.3 miles you'll be at the bridge across Baker Creek. Scramble down the bank to the put-in.

DESCRIPTION:

This short section has some sweet whitewater and with great drops in a beautiful bedrock canyon. Scouting and portaging at river level are difficult and trees could form a serious hazard. If you want to run this section you'll probably want to scout the run from the road. It's a little more than a mile in length but a nice run if you're in the area.

lat/long approximated by 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