White

Ran this 5/9/2020 at 350 cfs. Actually pretty pleased with the flow, much better than expected. Had current all the way to the take-out and didn't have to portage or drag boats at all. A couple of log-ducks that we did probably aren't possible at higher flows, so use good judgement. The jams/logs all had routes around, over or under them so that's a treat on this section. I know I've boated it lower in the past because I can remember stretches of slack-water that we had to paddle through, but that wasn't an issue on this trip. 400 is the guidebook minimum but I would do it again at this flow, it's perfectly fun and the bigger rapids present interesting challenges for confident boaters.

posted on PDXkayaker by Mark Scantlebury on April 23, 2017: The Lower Columbia Canoe Club (www.l-ccc.org) ran the Wamic-White River Bridge to Tygh Valley section of the White this past Saturday and had to do four log portages. The first three are large-diameter logs and are easily spotted as you approach them. There are small eddies available for stopping and portaging.

The fourth log is smaller diameter and much harder to see. It comes after what is probably the longest and highest rated rapid. This rapid ends with a pourover rock on the right that has a wicked looking flake you’d hit if you boof it too far right. On the left side of this rapid are some logs. There’s a breaking wave on the front of the boof rock that can channel you left.

After you run this rapid, be on the watch over the next half mile for a straightaway rapid with a bit of gradient. The log stretches from bank to bank and was just a few inches above the water at 700cfs. There was a way for kayakers who are very accurate to dip under it on the far left side—but catch an eddy on the left and scout to find this spot. A better choice is the several small eddies on the right. I’d recommend catching an early one. If you did stumble into this spot with the log and found yourself past the eddies, there’s one last small right eddy just before the log and I mean just before the log.

Ran the white 7/7-8/2012 at 415 cfs in IKs. It was not too low, but was close to minimum. Tons of great camping. Only had one portage, the big class IV with the landmark volcanic soil wall on the right, which was wood choked. Might have had a line right with more flow. Otherwise some nuisance wood but everything was runnable and boat scoutable for solid IV boaters. A stellar wild run with great camping and Bruneau-esque canyon for a short section.

From Nick Borelli: Watch your fires in there. You should use a firepan and clear out an area since there is so much tinder down everywhere. Enjoy, but please don't burn it down! :)

Ran the white 7/7-8/2012 at 415 cfs in IKs. It was not too low, but was close to minimum. Tons of great camping. Only had one portage, the big class IV with the landmark volcanic soil wall on the right, which was wood choked. Might have had a line right with more flow. Otherwise some nuisance wood but everything was runnable and boat scoutable for solid IV boaters. A stellar wild run with great camping and Bruneau-esque canyon for a short section. From Nick Borelli: Watch your fires in there. You should use a firepan and clear out an area since there is so much tinder down everywhere. Enjoy, but please don't burn it down! :)