Toutle
Highway 504 Bridge to Tower Rd. Bridge
| Difficulty | III+(IV) |
| Length | 9.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 32 fpm |
| Gauge | Toutle River at Tower Road Near Silver Lake, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 30 minutes | 451 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 16, 2020 |
Washington’s legendary volcanoes – Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams – are the source of wild, free-flowing rivers and streams that cascade over big drops and through deep basalt canyons on their way to the Columbia River. Rivers like the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, Cispus, Green, [...]Read More
SEASON
This run is generally good throughout the winter rainy season and during spring snowmelt.
DESCRIPTION
From the confluence of the North and South Forks there is about a mile of class I water with broad vistas and an occasional surf wave. After the 504 bridge the river begins to carve into the first gorge, with a gradual increase in whitewater. Class II and then III rapids build in intensity, marked by large basalt boulders and powerful channels. Toward the end of the gorge there is a long rapid that divides around a cobble bar, with the largest channel sweeping toward the right bank and back out to the middle. Eddy out on the right below this rapid and walk downstream to scout the next horizon, which is Stairstep. At low water a steep class IV, this rapid is easier when the holes are washed out and the rocks are under water. At most flows there is a sneak far river left but check to be sure it isn't log-clogged before committing.
After a short section of class II the river drops again and a giant boulder stands tall on the right. This is Tempest in a Teapot. There are 3 possible routes. At flows of 2,000cfs or more it is possible to bang through to rocks on the far river left to sneak the whole thing. The main flow is in the center channel which piles into the rock and then forms a dangerous pocket hole against the rock. Avoid this hole by driving left. Some have suggested the rapid is under-rated because of the retentiveness of this narrow hole, however it is not hard to avoid if you have strong class III skills.
A second sneak option exists on the far right, to the right of the rock that the water piles onto. Catch the large eddy and paddle through the shadows to an easy small ledge. Runnable at low water by canoes and kayaks, but bony enough that rafts will probably want 2,000cfs of more before attempting this route.
After a few more fun rapids the action tapers off as you enter a more open alluvial secti
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The primary put-in at the Highway 504 bridge.
As the river takes a bed to the right shortly after the put-in the river drops over three closely spaced rapids that form the Stairsteps.
Take the main route down the middle or sneak around the backside of the big boulder to far right.
The alternate put-in where Basie Road ends at the river can be used when flows are low and you want to just run Hollywood Gorge.
The standard take-out for the run at the WDFW access at the upstream river left side of the Tower Road bridge.
Apr 24, 2024
Fun trip low water many exposed rocks
Aug 2, 2020
Ran this at about 550 on 7/29 in a jackson duo. The whole run was bony but runable, free from any obstructions and good to go if you dont mind a creekier run.
Feb 21, 2011
The hole at tempest in a teapot is far worse than it looks. Two years ago 2 paddlers on my raft were recirculated in the hole 3-4 times each before flushing out. Yesterday, Sunday February 21, we were running in a large group. We scouted and all decided to run the far left channel to avoid the hole. A very experienced kayaker in the group changed his mind and decided to run the tongue at the left edge of the hole. He thought he was through only to be swept backwards into the hole, and was recirculated until he let go of his IK and flushed out. The IK surfed in the hole until we could send in a tied off swimmer who waded in partway and was able to snag the kayak with a paddle. Next a cat in the group missed the left line and went into the hole. His passenger was thrown free, but he recirculated to the point of exhaustion. The cat surfed in the hole for about a minute before we could get it out. My feeling is eventually someone will drown here. This rapids 3+ rating and fairly straightforward line combined with the fact that the hole is far, far stickier than it looks may lead some who don't know any better (like my group on our 1st trip on the Toutle) to challenge this hole, and someone will drown. Run or line (below 2000cfs it will be too shallow to run) the left channel.
