Dosewallips
1. Dosewallips Falls to Elkhorn Campground (Elkhorn Canyon)
| Difficulty | V+ |
| Length | 3.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 208 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 20, 2023 |
Projects
American Whitewater is proud to be a leading partner in the Wild Olympics Campaign, a collaborative effort to protect the wild rivers, ancient forests, and salmon habitat of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Working alongside conservation and recreation organizations, American Whitewater helped launch this campaign with the leadership of our local [...]Read More
River Description
SEASON: Throughout the year when water is low and put-in access is not snowed in.
LOGISTICS: From Highway 101 drive up Dosewallips River Road 2610 to the washout. Historically, Elkhorn Canyon was roadside and Elkhorn campground was the take-out, but due to the washout it is now a hike-in run. After many years, the dirt road is hardly more than a trail and the scenery is top notch so it feels like a true wilderness run. To reach the put-in hike roughly 5 miles to the base of Lower Dosewallips Falls and scramble down to the river at 47.72869, -123.14699.
DESCRIPTION:
Steep creek run in a boulder-filled gorge. In good years you can get down with few to zero portages. Other years there can be upwards of 10 depending on the woood situation.
lat/long very approximate from tiger map server
for additional information see:
Korb, G. 1997. A paddlers guide to the Olympic Peninsula. third edition.
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
River Features
Dosewallips Falls Put-In
Put in at the base of Dosewallips Falls.
Elkhorn Campground Take-Out
Access to the traditional take-out is on river left at Elkhorn Campground. The campground is no longer accessible by vehicle due to washouts downstream so you have to hike in to reach the historic access point that marks the take-out for this run. Those who decided to hike in will likely continue their run on the next run downstream to the point where there is road access. The campground is not actively maintained but is open to the public.
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