Tye

Access the river at a pull-out of your choosing on river right along Forest Road 67 near road mile 2.5. Note that land along the start of the run includes private Forest Service inholdings so be sure to not block any driveways.

The first big rapid, known as The Spout, drops about 15 feet into a right wall. Use the generous bedrock platform on river left to scout or bypass the drop with a seal launch into the foamy pool. The standard line starts on the right and works back to a flake on the left, which launches you clear of the hole at the base and avoids the protruding bedrock on river right. After only a few paddle strokes, you should aim to catch an eddy on river left to set up for the next drop.

The standard line runs far right, avoiding rocks at the base of the falls toward the center and left. The drop offers a smooth ride if you set it up correctly. A challenging portage exists on river left, but it requires climbing moves and tricky reentry below.

The confluence with Deception Creek that enters from the left marks the start of the Park Section. A tourist viewing platform signals the rim of Monkey Cage Falls, a sloping 20-foot drop. As you run this drop, expect cheers and hollers from the tourists above—hence the name. The center or right side typically offers the best line. Avoid the left, where hidden rocks have caused injuries. An easy portage on the left remains available.

A short entrance flume leads to a 10-foot ledge that sends the river into a headwall just a few feet downstream. The current then makes a hard 90-degree right turn. The ideal line sails off the right side of the ledge with a right sweep stroke, landing the boof facing downstream. Aim for the preferred right-hand slot past the boulder at the bottom. The current often pushes paddlers toward the left slot, where a deceptively nasty hydraulic lurks. Swims happen often here, so set strong safety. You can also take the far right sneak, which slides you over wet rocks and past the hole. Just 50 yards downstream, the river drops over another ledge with a problematic hydraulic—also worth a safety setup.

It has been run but for all practical purposes this is a portage on the right.

Alternate put-in access for a short run starting from the based of Log Choke Falls. The access is located at FR 67 mile 1.3 where a trail leads down near concrete barriers. Parking is limited here.

Great rapid with a fun boof that begins right from the base of Log Choke Falls.

The take-out is at Highway 2 mile 55.3 at a large pullout on the downstream river left side of the bridge across the Tye River. Scout the takeout carefully (takeout at the bridge!) as you don't want to unknowingly drift into the lead in for Alpine Falls. The river left trail provides the best access up to the road. From this pull out you can hike a short trail to Alpine Falls.

Alpine Falls presents a challenging descent for kayakers, and has only been run by a handful of people due to the high risk factor. The line starts on the left side, necessitating a difficult ferry to reach river left, followed by a precise boof to avoid pitoning before the 40-foot slide. Failure to execute the initial drop correctly would force a paddler towards the extremely dangerous right side.