Hoko

SEASON: Winter rain storms.

DESCRIPTION: The majority of this run is class I-II but there are a couple of larger rapids. A highlight of this run is the gorge at the start that begins with a waterfall and continues on downstream for about a quarter mile. Advanced paddlers can start their run at the top and others can join in just downstream. This is a beautiful river that flows through a river canyon well hidden from the road. There are two good class III boulder garden rapids about halfway down the run. The first can be portaged on the left and the second can be portaged on the right. The rest of the run is all a class I-II float but it's a great section of river to explore.

LOGISTICS: From Highway 101 mile 203.8 head north on Highway 113. In 10 miles this joins Highway 112 at mile 23.0. Continue west on Highway 112 towards Neah Bay. Shortly after passing through Sekiu at Highway 112 mile 12.6 turn south on Hoko-Ozette Road. At mile 3.0 you will see a small pull-out at the gauging station which is the take-out. From this point the road climbs up above the river until you cross over the bridge at mile 6.8. You can put-in downstream river right of the bridge if you want to skip the gorge, but otherwise continue past the bridge to mile 7.0. From here you can peer down into the gorge and take the short hike to the start at Hoko Falls. Korb describes a put-in further upstream but many of the logging roads in this area are now gated.