Calawah, S. Fork
Rugged Ridge Trail to Hyas Creek
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 7.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 53 fpm |
| Gauge | Calawah River Near Forks, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 20 minutes | 212 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 1, 2025 |
River Description
This is a high-quality paddling run best enjoyed during the rainy season, but it requires effort to access. The approach involves a 2.8-mile hike along the Snider Jackson (also known as Rugged Ridge) Trail. Expect a mix of uphill and downhill sections as the trail crosses about six small tributary drainages. Be prepared for fallen trees on this lightly traveled path, which is mostly cut into a steep hillside and too narrow to drag a boat.
Once you reach the put-in, the action begins almost immediately. Around the first bend, the river enters a stunning bedrock gorge. The entrance rapid, known as *West Virginia*, offers multiple lines and rates as Class III/IV at intermediate flows. For the next quarter-mile, the river flows through the gorge with excellent Class III+ rapids before gradually mellowing. Towering Sitka spruce line the banks, and a series of boulder gardens keeps the run engaging with fun Class II/III rapids nearly all the way to the confluence with the Sitkum River. From there, it's just a few more minutes on the Sitkum before reaching Hyas Creek and the take-out.
At moderate flows, this run is suitable for strong intermediate paddlers, including pack rafters. Plan for 2–3 hours to hike in, depending on trail conditions and your fitness level while carrying a boat, followed by about 2 hours on the water if all goes smoothly. While the run itself is relatively short given the effort to access it, the true reward lies in the wilderness paddling experience. This is one of the best backcountry runs for intermediate boaters in Olympic National Park.
Access Logistics:
Take-Out:
About a mile north of Forks, Forest Road (FR) 29 branches off Highway 101 at mile marker 193.3 and heads east. Follow FR 29 for 8.0 miles to the Hyas Creek bridge. The take-out is at the Hyas Creek confluence with the South Fork Calawah River.
Put-In:
From the Hyas Creek bridge, continue 3.2 miles east on FR 29. Before reaching Rainbow Cree
...River Features
Snider Jackson (Rugged Ridge) Trailhead
The Snider-Jackson (aka Rugged Ridge) Trailhead is on Forest Road 2900-070 and provides access to the Snider Jackson (aka Rugged Ridge) Trail (#883) that continues into Olympic National Park and provides access to the South Fork Calawah.
Snider Jackson Trail Crossing
The Snider Jackson (aka Rugged Ridge) Trail crossing serves as the put-in and start of the run. It's a 2.8 mile hike in to this point.
Sitkum Confluence
Confluence where the Sitkum River joins the South Fork Calwah River.
Hyas Creek Take Out
Take out on river right just past the confluence of Hyas Creek. There is a pull out along Forest Road 29 that provides space for a couple cars to park and a trail down to the shoreline.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportFantastic packraft run!
We hiked in from the Sitkum bridge closure. Ended up being just shy of 7 miles and about 1000 feet of up and down. Trail was in good shape. There were about a dozen blow downs of varying size. A few of which were mildly annoying to get around. Some really impressive old growth trees.
The river was fun! Rapids were clean. We only had to get out of our boat once to step over a small log. There were a couple massive 8' logs blocking the river that we were able to duck under. With more water you'd probably have to climb up the bank around them. Didn't look like a hard portage.
Flow was 2300' and felt low. We bumped a couple dozen rocks down the river, but never had to walk our boats. It took us about 3 hours to paddle the 8 miles down to the Hyas Creek takeout.
Photos from a trip on the Sitkum that uses the same access.
Out on a site assessment of the 29 Road (currently closed to the public) and the Sitkum Gorge Bridge (awaiting inspection before it can be reopened) on the 2900-070 Road.
We got an early start the day after Thanksgiving and were able to get an early start from the Rugged Ridge Trailhead. The group included Thomas O'Keefe, Omar Jepperson, and Mike Rausch. The hike in, which mostly involved dragging boats downhill, was longer than anticipated due to the trail being unmainted and in poor condition. We had to cross several drainages and there were downed trees across the trail. As our progress was slow Mike elected to hike back out given concern as to when we would reach the put-in. We continued on and ultimately reached the river. The first sequence of whitewater at West Virginia was a lot of fun. The whitewater tapered off after that but we enjoyed a trip through dramatic stands of old growth. We were efficient on the water and made it to the take-out with daylight to spare. It was a good water level with the Calwah gage dropping slightly over the course of the day.
Photos are video frame grabs.