Cispus

Despite the low flow we found we had plenty of water to enjoy a good day on the water. Tom O'Keefe and Tim Palmer started from the Forest Road 28 Bridge and we linked up with Michael Deckert and Paul Butler at Twin Cedars who joined us for the second half of the run.

Launching from the Forest Road 28 Bridge we had enough water to enjoy this incredibly scenic section of river that passes under Tower Rock and through impressive forested stands as you enter the National Forest. We encountered a some wood in play, particularly with the engineered log jams in the first 1/4 mile below the bridge. All of it was navigable although there were a couple spots where the moves were tight. In these locations a short carry around was an option. Several of the gravel bars were inviting campsites and one could imagine a launching in the late afternoon to a camp a mile or two downstream of the bridge. It took us about two hours to reach the Twin Cedars access where Paul and Michael were waiting.

The run down from Twin Cedars has more distinct rapids. At this flow everything was navigable with plenty of water. We even found a couple spots to surf. Not much was in at Paul's Play Pen and we continued on down to Bobcat as our lunch spot.

The float from Twin Cedars down to Scanwea Reservoir was another two hours for a run that was four hours of total float time.

While I most typically put in at Twin Cedars, I would definitely recommend the full run for the scenic beauty of the start. It would of course go faster at higher flows but even at this flow it was still an enjoyable section of river.

The Washington Kayak Club hosted a trip and barbecue on the Cispus River with nearly 30 people joining the trip. The club has a long history of enjoying trips on the Cowlitz River system dating back to those lead by club founder Wolf Bauer. For this trip we enjoyed clear skies and beautiful sunny weather, but of course it is always sunny on the Cispus.

A great time was had by all with a run down the river, a surf session at Paul's Play Pen (nice level for long boats), and then a barbecue at the take-out organized by Michael Deckert and his wife Becky. Wood hazards were present along the banks in a couple places, most notably the river right channel at Lower Iron Creek Rapid. The main lines were clean.

We met at 10:30am at the take-out, shuttled up to the put-in and were on the water by 11:30. It was a relatively short 20-30 minute session at Paul's Play Plan. We had another short break and reached the take-out shortly before 3:00pm. It was thus an approximately 3 hour run plus stops at this flow. Everyone completed their shuttles and the barbecue wrapped up around 4:30pm.

This was a chance to enjoy the new picnic shelter and take full advantage of the take-out facility finally constructed and available for the public to enjoy nearly 40 years after issuance of their hydropower license. In 1986 the Federal Energy Regulatory authorized the construction of the Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric project and included a provision that 'The licensee shall, after consultation with the Friends of Whitewater, construct a boat ramp take-out facility at the head of the reservoir on the Cispus River so that boating use of that river will not be interrupted by project construction or operation.' It took decades of advocacy, much of it coordinated by Michael Deckert, for Lewis County PUD to comply with this license condition and it was a please to be out on the water enjoying the facility with Michael.

As a condition of the hydropower license for the construction of the Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectirc Project Lewis County PUD was required to build an access site at the head of the reservoir. After many years of advocacy Lewis County PUD finally has the construction of the access facility underway and it is nearly complete and ready for public use.

After a meeting with Cowlitz County PUD, the paddlers who attended went out to enjoy an afternoon run on the river and a session at Paul's Play Pen. Gates have been consistently open this spring and you can drive to the water's edge at the take-out from either the east or west side. We enjoyed a good flow of 1500 cfs. We encountered some wood in play along the edges but no major hazards.

According to the following website: https://www.lcpud.org/recreation/copper-canyon-creek-take-out-site/ 'Road Status Last Updated: June 21, 2017 Port Blakely 300 Road Gate: Open Port Blakely 340 Road Gate: Open Information Hotline: (360) 345-1484 As of 2017, all access roads to our Copper Canyon Creek Take-Out site are now open unless otherwise noted on our website due to hazardous or safety concerns.'

2014 340 Road gate opening days are scheduled for: Saturday, 26 April Saturday, 10 May Sunday, 11 May This gate is scheduled to be open 10am to 5pm on these days. The 340 gate serves the Copper Canyon Creek take-out facility. To verify, please check with contact Debbie at debbie@lcpud.org.(360)740-2457. For additional information, please visit http://www.lcpud.org/Recreation/Take\_Out\_Site.

Evening float from Twin Cedars to Crystal Creek Bridge with conservation community colleagues.

A spring trip on the Cispus River.

It was a wintery day but we were able to make it through the snow to the put-in and enjoy the 'opening day' of boating season on the Cispus River.

A celebratory trip for the new take-out access established at Copper Creek.

Annual 'Opening Day of Boating Season' boating trip on the Cispus River that has been a New Year's Day tradition for many years. Paddler gather for the annual 'Opening Day of Boating Season' trip on the Cispus River. A great playspot on the Lower Cispus.

Here's a view from upstream, river left. This log is located roughly 1.5 miles below the FS 28 bridge. It is below a slight bend to the left at the bottom of a long calm stretch. You should be able to see the wood from above. You can stop on river left, where there is a large gravel bar. There's a small 1 raft eddy above the wood that could be used for a portage, but a relaunching place will be difficult due to high banks and fast current.
A close(er) up shot.

View looking upstream from a proposed takeout before the start of the reservoir on river right.