Wilson

3/26 and 3/26 Low Water Jones to Cedar

I was told 1100cfs was a reasonable minimum flow for this river, but that turns out to be incorrect. The section downstream from Jones Creek Day use area is delightful well under 1000cfs. Both days we ran it in the neighborhood of 800-850cfs, and it was not too low. In fact, it is a lot more fun at 850 than it is at 1100. Now I know 1100 is a dud flow; the run is better both higher and lower than that. I don't know what the real minimum is, but 850 is great for kayak play.

There's a fine surf wave at the first rapid past the Forest Center bridge. We call this place Jive Junction because the wave is suited to the classic New Wave kayak called the Jive.

The wave in the middle of Hollywood Rapid is a perfect spot for skillbuilding, with good eddies on both sides. You can glide across the wave in either direction and land in an eddy to do it again, or try your hand at surfing. This same wave is amazing at 2500cfs.

The gorge above the Footbridge access is loaded with play potential as well, meaning you could do just this short run and walk the shuttle on the River Trail. Or, if you want more river miles, it continues to be amusing and plenty enough water all the way to the access at Cedar Ridge Road, just a couple rapids past the Jordan Creek confluence.

We were glad we had half slices and we were glad we stuck around when everybody else went elsewhere.

The BAD NEWS: The park & play surf wave/hole at MP 12 is GONE according to a paddler named James from Tillamook. He said a land slide on river right has dumped in a bunch of boulders that messed up the playspot.