Elwha

The sneak route (left) in Nightmare is plugged with a log. This is visible from the logjam in the drop above Nightmare.

Secret Chute is also plugged with a log. The next door to the left worked at low flow.

July 2004 Update, provided by Erik Schertzl

Four of us ran The Grand Canyon of The Elwha on Monday the 5th of July. We hadn't heard of anyone going through there since the floods of October. We were a bit concerned about new wood in bad places and changes to the rapids themselves. Between all of us, everything got run.

We were pleasantly surprised to find no bad wood in The Grand Canyon. There was some, but none that caused any problems. We guessed that a few rapids have changed, but it's hard to confirm as none of us had done the run prior. We're only able to go off pics from the internet and word of mouth.

All the lines appear to be standard. Nightmare was fine on the left (after some concern about running it blind & feeble attempts to scout). There is a very bad seive on the right side that none of us had ever heard of. It's ugly for sure. Most likely sneak the entrance on the left and stay there.

Rica Canyon has a major log-jam blocking the entrance at Goblin's Gate. There's a way around it. Hit me off line for that beta. Goblin's Gate Rapid has changed. No longer run the second ledge center; it's far right or left there.

If anyone goes through there in the next few weeks, please keep an eye out for a digital camera/case left up in the Grand Canyon by one member of our group. It should be on the right bank at the drop above Nightmare.

Unfortunately, the floods of Oct didn't change the hike in (making it shorter?). It's still a push (but beautiful). What an amazing run!

These are new high water logs just above Nightmare. They provide a glimpse into the entry of Nightmare. You still can't see the whole rapid. Don't slip.
We found scouting Eskimo Pie on the left to be quite easy. The right side eddy/scout would be sketchy. You could still ferry over to river right if you felt the need to portage. Shane is parked in an eddy on river right, after successfully running the drop.
There's only one way to run Eskimo Pie......right through the meat of a river-wide hole. There's a possible sneak on river right, but that had it's issues as well. Kato made this one look easy.
This is at the confluence with Lillian River. Most people who stop here, will peer into the tight canyon with 'that' question in mind. Hmmmmmmm....does it go?

This is the entrance to Rica Canyon where the river falls away to a bedrock gorge that is hidden from
upstream. There is a nice-sized eddy on the left (with lots of logs in some years).

This is the first rapid at the entrance to Rica Canyon. It's difficult to scout but there is a good recovery pool at the bottom.
The second major drop can be scouted from the right. Sneak it on the right by running the Secret Chute and then work your way over to the left, or run the meat down the center.
The final major rapid and longest in Rica Canyon. Start center and then run the final sequence along the bedrock wall on river right. You can scout or portage from the left.
The entrance rapid to Rica Canyon. This rapid is challenging to scout but You start right and then move your way to the final plunge on river left. At this final ledge you'll want to line up for a left to right move to boof the flake on the right side of the left chute and clear the hole at the end--or hang on for a wild ride through the hole.
This is the view looking back upstream towards Goblin Gates. The final ledge has a hole on far river left, but there is a flake on the left side of the midstream boulder that you can boof with a good left to right move coming into the drop.
The final section of the second significant drop in the canyon. The entrance requires you to paddle
through a meaty hole in the center or you can take the Secret Chute on the right.
This is the final major drop in Rica Canyon and the longest. You'll work your way over from the left side to pound through some ledges and holes along the bedrock wall on river right.

The entrance to Goblin Gates at the start of Rica Canyon.
Geyser Valley between Rica Canyon and Grand Canyon of the Elwha.