Collawash
2. Mile 5.5 bridge to Two Rivers Picnic Area
| Difficulty | III-IV(V) |
| Length | 6.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 60 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 26, 2025 |
Projects
American Whitewater actively supported the effort to create a legacy for the wild rivers and wilderness lands in the shadow of Mt. Hood. We worked closely with our friends from American Rivers and Oregon Wild to protect rivers that flow off Mt. Hood as Wild and Scenic and have [...]Read More
River Description
This section of the Collawash is a step down from the section right above it but still presents some challenges. The first 2 miles contains a couple class 3 rapids, one fun Class 4 rapid (Boulderdash) and a probable portage around Chute to Kill. An alternate put-in is at the large pool at Little Fan Creek Campsite.
Below Little Fan the river changes to Class 3 with short sections of flat or smaller rapids in between. The rapids pick up at Up Against the Wall which can be scouted from the road. Below this there is a beautiful section of fun waves with some stunning scenery. A last fun rapid is just around the corner from the bridge towards the end of the run. The easiest take-out is at some small eddies adjacent to the Two Rivers Day Use Site on the right just before the confluence with the Clackamas River.
Check out the description, with excellent pictures, in Jason Rackley's Oregon Kayaking. Rackley divides the Collowash into three sections: the Upper, Middle, and Lower. His Middle constitutes the first two miles of this run, from the Mile 5.5 Bridge to the Hot Springs Fork bridge.
River Features
Put In
Easy trail to the river just upstream and before crossing the bridge.
Chute to Kill
Chute to Kill has changed significantly over the last 20 years due to rockfall from the large cliff on the right side of the river. The top is mostly blocked by large boulders and may or may not be runnable. About 20 meters below the top, the river spilts around a large boulder creating two narrow slots. Both are runnable but the left is the easiest. The right has a portion of the flow going under the boulder creating a dangerous sieve. The easiest portage is up on the road from the pool above the rapid.
Up Against the Wall
A steep boulder garden with several line options.
Take Out
Easiest to take out in the small eddies on the right before reaching the Clackamas confluence.
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