Quinault

SEASON: During the summer with low water (Aug to Oct)

FUN FACT: Overall a spectacular run and cameraman's paradise, but one that definitely requires commitment.

ACCESS: At Highway 101 mile 126.5 head east up South Shore Road. Drive past Quinault Lake and follow the road a few miles to a bridge that crosses the Quinault River and connects with North Shore Road. Continue on the South Shore Road to Graves Creek Campground which is the take-out. From this campground it's a 3 mile trail hike to the put-in at Pony Bridge. South Shore Road has been closed at times due to road washouts. You can always check current conditions with the USFS/ NPS Resource Information Center in Forks 360-374-7566.

Description

This run can be very intimidating because the entire 3-mile section is gorged out, making some drops impossible to scout or portage, in particular in the first quarter mile after Dolly Falls. If you don't know the run it's a good idea to do as Korb suggests and hit it on the low side. The run starts out with about a 3 mile hike-in with a lot of up-hill, so expect to exert a fair amount of energy just reaching the put-in. All of the rocks on the river are polished and very slippery, so scouting and portaging are extremely tiring and difficult.

Dolly Falls is a 3-part drop that Korb identifies as a mandatory portage. It has been run depending on flows and the wood situation, but many will want to portage at least some of it which in itself is extremely challenging. The first two tiers are both around 8-foot vertical plunges created by massive bolders in the middle of the river. You cannot bank portage or scout the first tier because it is completely gorged out and in years when wood hazards limit your options you've got a real challenge on your hands (the wood may be positioned in a way that facilitates a portage or alternatively it could greatly complicate things). You may be able to scramble onto the midstream boulder for

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