Local paddlers are planning trips on the Cispus River this spring and Lewis County PUD has agreed to open the gate to the take-out on selected dates that include 3/15, 4/19, and 5/10. The access is available on other weekends but requires a key to reach the take-out. You can contact the utility to apply for a key or if you park outside the gate it’s a hike of a couple hundred yards from the river (check the PUD website for additional information).
The plan is to leave the Mt. Adams Café in Randle, Washington (located at Highway 12 milepost 115) at 10:00 am sharp so arrive earlier if you want to have breakfast. For those unfamiliar with the area, you can join the caravan to the put-in at Twin Cedars about one mile above the Iron Creek Campground and shuttle vehicles to the New Lower Cispus take-out, just off the 300 road at Copper Canyon Creek, on the Scanewa Reservoir. The gate will be opened from approximately 10 am to 4 pm. Please note that the take-out will not be accessible from the western approach (from the dam) as Port Blakely is logging in this area and has the road closed. The standard shuttle route from the east is open.
The Lower Cispus is a great introductory Class III run. The Lower Cispus is a scenic forested run featuring pool-drop run with straight forward splashy chutes, making it a nice run for the whole family. Some of the area clubs will be leading trips. Other individuals or groups may join the event but must assume their own liability and risk.
After a day on the Cispus, individuals may wish to rendezvous at the Big Bottom Bar & Grill in Randle for great burgers and fries. We thank Port Blakely Tree Farms, the major land owner in this area, for helping us find a solution to access issues on this river and Lewis County PUD for opening the gate.