The start of the 2003-2004 paddling season in the Pacific Northwest has seen a change in access to a 3 mile section of the Washougal river located in Southwest Washington known as the Church Run. For a number of years local paddlers have utilized the footpath and parking lot of the Salmon Falls Church and Retreat. Due to a change in management, an impending sale, and the behavior of undisciplined visitors, this access is now closed. Other access points are of questionable legality and present safety concerns.
For a number of years the Church graciously tolerated the presence of paddlers on their property with an unwritten agreement of respect. Unfortunately, this summer proved to be the breaking point when the accumulated burdens of litter, vandalism, rude behavior, and drinking were reported on the retreat premises and surrounding environs. It is our understanding that these incidents were entirely separate of the kayaking community.
Thus, all river users found themselves jointly bared from an ideal access point by a friendly, but firm “No.”
AW would like to see this dispute resolved in a fair and amicable manner with the goal of securing permanent access. Local AW volunteers are approaching church officials with the hopes of renegotiating access. Tentative negotiation points include: Behavior, trash pickup, acceptable times, acceptable numbers, and a volunteer contact to coordinate and disseminate the above changes. Our goal is to establish clear expectations whereby the paddling community could rebuild this unjustly shattered trust.
Additionally, AW coordinators are pursuing alternative access through the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife which presumably owns and operates a fish ladder next to the dangerous Salmon Falls just upstream of the church. This site, with some modifications for safety and access, would accommodate a number of vehicles and not serve to strain our tenuous relationship with the church.
Further updates will occur on the progress of our efforts as well as the end result of our negotiations. Rightly or wrongly, ever kayaker serves as ambassador for the entire river running community. Please do your part.
Thank you,
Jim Pytel
AW Member and local Washougal paddler
pyteljames@hotmail.com
Background: The Washougal drains the Southwest corner of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, it’s headwaters draining the flanks of Silver Star mountain and Three Corner Rock. It is on it’s mouth that Lewis and Clark camped on their journey westward to the deafening noise of waterfowl. Barring the fish hatchery, it is a free flowing, relatively undeveloped river, it’s upper reaches home to bald eagles and wild salmon runs. At the height of paddling season kayakers can tackle the 70 foot four tier Tsunami Falls on Stebbin’s Creek, the multiple cascades of the Waterfall run, or try their luck on the Gorge, the Church, the North Fork, the Big Eddy run, or explore any one of the as yet untapped tributaries. It would be a shame to loose access to these treasures one by one.