White Salmon
4 - BZ Corner to Northwestern Park(Middle and Lower)
| Difficulty | III+(V) |
| Length | 7.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 45 fpm |
| Gauge | White Salmon River Near Underwood, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 32 minutes | 1030 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 6, 2024 |
Projects
Working closely with partner organizations, American Whitewater has played a leading role in stewardship projects addressing both conservation and public access on the White Salmon River in Washington. Over decades of advocacy, we have helped secure federal Wild and Scenic designation, established public access points, and supported the complete [...]Read More
River Description
Emerging from the slopes of Mt. Adams, the White Salmon is one of Washington's greatest whitewater resources. With a range of whitewater opportunities from a popular beginner training run to some of the most challenging whitewater in the country this river has something for everybody. Commercial rafting trips are popular on this section and the river typically has good flows throughout the year. With it's consistent and dependable whitewater, the river has hosted many races and events over the years. The water is always cold so be sure to dress appropriately. While mid-day sun penetrates the canyon it is often much cooler down in the gorge particularly on hot summer days in August.
Most rafters run from the BZ Launch down to Northwestern Park but many kayakers take out at Husum or put in at Husum, dividing this section into the 'Middle' or 'Lower' depending on whether they want a class III or a class II experience.
Middle White Salmon, 4.5 miles, Class III+
The section starting at BZ Corner is known as one of the best intermediate whitewater runs in the state. With near consistent action, beautiful scenery, and a big drop at the end that always attracts a crowd of spectators, this is a destination for folks from around the region. Those who have been a part of the whitewater scene for the past few decades remember the privately owned put-in located in a residential area along the gorge. A cableway high across the river was used to lower rafts down into the gorge while kayakers and raft passengers paid their fee to hike the trail down to the river. With the future of the access in question American Whitewater partnered with the Trust for Public Land to negotiate a deal and transfer ownership of the property to the Forest Service. The old billboard with the oversized map of the river is gone and a set of rails to slide rafts down along the trail has replaced the cableway, but the land is now in public ownership effectively securin
...River Features
BZ Launch Site Put-In
The primary take-out is at the Forest Service BZ Launch site at Highway 141 mile 12.8 in the town of BZ, just north of the Glenwood Road turn-off. This site serves as the take-out for the Green Truss section and the put-in for the BZ section, with a load/unload zone at the top of the trail. Historically, access to this corridor was across private property, raising concerns about long-term availability. In 2000, American Whitewater worked with the Trust for Public Land to acquire the 11-acre BZ Corners parcel, which was transferred to public ownership in 2001. Managed by the Forest Service as part of the Lower White Salmon Wild and Scenic River, the site features a short 0.1-mile trail to the river with parallel rails for sliding boats, metal stairs at the river’s edge that extend during summer but are raised in high water, and an easy day hike offering scenic river views.
Top Drop
Top Drop starts off the long rapid at the put-in that is located just upstream of where the steps come down to the river at the launch typically used by rafts. Located at USGS river mile 12.0.
Maytag
Maytag is the rapid at the put-in that finishes just before you cross under the BZ Corner Bridge high above. Located at USGS river mile 12.1.
Sharks Tooth
Located at USGS river mile 11.8.
Grasshopper
Located at USGS river mile 11.6.
Sidewinder
Fun hole to the left hand side. Located at USGS river mile 11.5
Corkscrew
Located at USGS river mile 11.3.
Waterspout
Big Waves with a clean line to the left side. Located at USGS river mile 11.1.
Barge Wave
A fun surf spot but watch out for raft traffic traveling downstream. Located at USGS river mile 10.9.
Stairstep Falls
A fun sequence of ledges. Located at USGS river mile 9.4.
Husum Access, Above Falls
This access point is administered by the Forest Service and located on river right immediately upstream of Husum Falls. It has an information kiosk and toilet. It is a common access point for those who want to take out above Husum Falls.
Husum Falls
The typical line is to stay on the tongue just to the left of the rock that sticks up on river right and keep some right angle (sweep on the left) as you head over to stay out of the hole in the middle. At higher flows this rapid rates class V, but at lower flows many consider it a class IV. At high flows you can also do the sneak on far river left that involves a couple creeking moves. You can take-out on river right or river left above the falls. Located at USGS river mile 7.7.
Hot Launch Access
This is a public access point primarily used by outifters on river right downstream of Husum Falls and between the two bridges (Highway 141 and Husum Street Bridges) on public land managed by the Forest Service. It is across the street from the Washington Department of Natural Resources work center in Husum. Once you pass under the Highway 141 Bridge you need to catch the eddy on river right to use this access. There is no parking at this site so it is primarily used by outfitters who can quickly load or unload boats at this site. It requires carrying boats approximately 50 yards up the slope and across a small field. The social trail to the river is poorly maintained and in need of improvement given the use it receives.
Paddler Staff Gage
The paddler staff gage that many people use to reference flow is on river right, mounted to the bedrock upstream of the Husum Street Bridge.
Husum Access, Below Falls [private]
This access point on river left downstream of Husum Falls and downstream of the Husum Street Bridge is privately owned by Wet Planet but available to the local boating community. Please be respectful when using this site especially when the outfitter is actively using it for their trips (i.e. don't use the parking area here as your changing area or bathroom). It is a common put-in for those desiring a short class II run on the lower. It is also a take-out used by those running the middle who want to finish their trip with a run of Husum Falls.
Rattlesnake
A fun playspot downstream of Husum Falls sometimes enjoyed for park and play. Located at USGS river mile 7.5.
Northwestern Park Take-Out
At one time the take-out was on the reservoir but with the removal of Condit Dam the take-out is now on the river at a site reconstructed by PacifiCorp as recreation mitigation for the decommissioning and removal of Condit Dam. The access is on river right just past the bridge. American Whitewater is working to bring this site into public ownership.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportA quick afternoon run on the Middle White Salmon in fall with low water that was still plenty of fun and finished off with successful runs of Husum Falls.
Field tour of access sites on the White Salmon River.
The Forest Service has decided to resume river access on the White Salmon River today, May 20, 2020. We believe that this will bring the sites into alignment with other recreation opportunities on nearby rivers. What this means for you is that BZ Corner Access and Husum site (both our river left and right access points by Husum Falls) will be open for use. We will open the one toilet at BZ (the pit toilet that is open during winter months), and the 2 vault toilets at Husum. Please remember that these toilets will only be as clean as the last person that used them. We cannot guarantee a COVID-19 free environment, so please be aware of the risks of using a public restroom. Come prepared. You may find reduced or limited restroom services as staff begin the process to reopen facilities at wildlife areas and water access sites. State health authorities are advised to bring soap, water, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper, as well as a mask or facial covering to shield their noses and mouths. Only members of the same household should travel in rafts together. Practice social distancing with anyone outside your household, which basically means stay a paddle length or more apart. Please avoid extra risk right now and stick within your skill level, as we really all need to work to together to minimize impacts to the first responders. If you arrive onsite and it’s impossible to maintain social distancing, consider a backup recreation opportunity or simply come back another day. The state guidance is still recommending that people stay local for recreation. For more details about the status of Forest Service sites in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, visit fs.usda.gov/crgnsa or follow us on Facebook.com/crgnsa or Twitter @CRGNSA.
Paddling from BZ access to Northwestern Park the day we celebrated the removal of Condit Dam and restoration of the White Salmon River.
A new take-out just opened by PacifiCorp at Northwestern Park which has been closed since dam breach in October 2011. This replaces the temporary take-out.
White Salmon River at the Northwestern Lake Park access point. Over the past month since Condit Dam was removed the river has cut it’s bed down approximately 12 feet and this cut continues to move upstream. It has also revealed previously unknown hazards within the river course
Unknown kayaker - Husum Falls - Sept 2011