Hood, West Fork
3. Lake Branch to Punchbowl Falls(West Fork Hood)
June 27, 2020
Trip Report
| Reporter | Robert Cruser |
6/24/2020 We did this run at 3.7' on the Tucker gauge and 300 cfs on WF gauge. In the past, we have run this as far down as 3.5'/250 cfs and it still goes. Near and below 4', it's more of a 'creeky' run and very enjoyable for paddlers with the right mindset. On a nice day in late Spring and early Summer, it's a great alternative to yet another Middle White Salmon run. The first 2 miles to the fish-ladder can be a little tedious at very low flows, but the rest of the run is still very entertaining and everyone who Jacob and I have taken down at these levels has been pleasantly surprised and is always anxious to return. If you can scrape down the first small rapid at the lower put-in you'll be fine. I would only recommend the Lake Branch put-in with 400 cfs or more and the uppermost put-in at Lolo Pass at 500.