White Salmon

A 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

A log is jammed in the main run of Husum Falls.

On the river with the team from Keen Footwear.

Once a private parcel, the BZ Access is now in public ownership thanks to the Trust for Public Land who acted on the Wild and Scenic River management plan by acquiring the property when the owner was ready to sell. The property was later transferred to the public and is now managed by USFS who recently developed the site as a public river access.

White Salmon River Trip from BZ down to Northwestern Reservoir.

This was a great sequence to start the run off with. This drop follows Maytag in the first rapid.
Maytag is the first drop of the put-in rapid. While not overly challenging, it is a good way to start the day.

There is a nice takeout/putin just after the bridge at Husum Falls. Many putin and run the bottom section of the river down to the lake.
There is a nice takeout/putin just after the bridge at Husum Falls. Many putin and run the bottom section of the river down to the lake.
This drop features some good powerful water and a rock at the bottom.

Fun to stand on the bridge and watch rafts and boats run the falls.

The water was too low to line the boat over the left
side of the falls like we had always done before, so I
got to run it. Note the confidence in my abilities as
illustrated by my lack of passengers.

Extreme athlete Docta P riverboarding over Husum Falls. This was thought to be a first descent (not a whole lot of people riverboard, let alone riverboard off waterfalls)but we were later told that Robert Carlson has that claim, in 1989.

Raft guide pinning raft on rock above husom falls.
Raft guide pinning raft on rock above Husom Falls
Raft guide pinning raft on rock above Husom Falls.

The staff gage is located downstream river right of the Highway 141 bridge and just upstream of the smaller local bridge seen in this photo.

University Kayak Club Trip to the White Salmon River.