Lewis, E. Fork

4 - Moulton Falls to Lewisville Park (Hwy 503)

Reach banner
DifficultyIII+(V)
Length10.1 mi
Avg Gradient33 fpm
GaugeEast Fork Lewis River Near Heisson, Wa
Flow Rate as of 42 minutes
301 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedJune 11, 2019

River Description

The run starts out with Moulton Falls, accessed from a day use area that provides parking for the put-in. You can scout out lines for the falls but most put in just downstream.

The river kicks off with some fun class II and then drops over LaLonde's Drop. More fun rapids continue down to Hantwick Road Bridge. As you approach this bridge the river enters a narrow canyon with a great entrance drop that takes you straight through a big wave hole. As you exit the canyon you find yourself a cool bedrock slot that flows down under the bridge.

As you reach a big eddy with a horizon line a short distance downstream of the Hantwick Bridge you're at the horizon line for Lucia Falls. The falls located in a county park has been run although 'water contact recreation' is formally prohibited in the park. During the salmon run, fish rest in the pools at the base of the rapid before shooting upstream and the idea is to limit disturbance to the fish. You can use the trails through the park to portage on river right which also serves as an alternate put-in access for the lower half of the run.

Downstream from Lucia Falls the run continues with more great whitewater. Things get interesting again as you approach Heisson Bridge. Here the river flows over what is either a technical boulder garden (at lower flows) or a bouncy flush through a well-padded boulder garden (at higher flows). As you pass under the bridge you pass through another incredible mini canyon carved into the bedrock by the power of the river.

A couple more fun rapids keep things interesting as you continue on down to the take-out in Lewisville Park.


River Features

Moulton Falls

Class: VDistance: -25.5 mi
Access Point
Waterfall / Large Drop
Moulton Falls

Moulton Falls has been run but most launch from the rocks at the downstream end of the rapid. If you are thinking to run be sure to scout out the wall on river right.

Canyon at Hantwick Bridge

Class: III+Distance: -21.9 mi
Rapid
Canyon at Hantwick Bridge

A beautiful little canyon that starts out with a big wave hole then twists and turns through the bedrock.

Lucia Falls

Class: VDistance: -21.5 mi
Access Point
Waterfall / Large Drop
Lucia Falls

Lucia Falls has been run although the county posted the area for no water contact recreation. The downstream end of the falls is commonly used as a put-in for a shorter run.

Heisson Bridge Rapid

Class: III+Distance: -19 mi
Rapid
Heisson Bridge Rapid

A fun drop you can easily scout on the shuttle.

Lewisville Park Boat Ramp

Distance: -14.3 mi
Access Point
Lewisville Park Boat Ramp

The boat ramp in the park provides convenient access to the river.

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 11.5 mi
Take Out

A river wide log along the straight section of rhe river that parallels NE Lucia Falls Road downstream of Pomero Farms and upstream of a cable crossing.  You can catch a glimpse of the tree from the road if watching for it.  At this flow it snuck up on us as we were in a slow flat water section and not expecting anything here.

approx tree location (45.8378147, -122.4638275)

PG
Pete Giordano

Feb 7, 2021


It is possible to take out under Heisson Bridge if you want to shorten the run and avoid the easier water in the second half but parking is very challenging. The whole area has no parking signs and the nearest legal spot is about a half mile away.

Thomas O'Keefe
Thomas O'Keefe

Dec 30, 2007


Boat ramp river access in Lewisville Park.

The biggest drop at the start of the canyon is just upstream and around the corner.