Tshletshy

Originally explored by Scott Mathews and Sprague Ackley, Tshletshy Creek is an elusive and demanding whitewater run tucked deep within Washington’s Olympic National Park. Draining one of the wettest, wildest, and most pristine valleys in the contiguous U.S., this creek offers an expedition-style kayaking experience like few others. The trip begins with a strenuous 11-mile hike gaining 3,100 feet of elevation just to reach the headwaters, followed by 12.8 miles of intense paddling through Tshletshy’s gorge-laced canyon and a final 7-mile paddle out on the Queets River. With no roads nearby and access only by foot through dense temperate rainforest, Tshletshy demands serious logistical planning, a high level of commitment, and flexibility for weather and flows. While the whitewater is exciting and often world-class, the adventure itself is the main draw.

The journey starts with a grueling approach, ascending to the divide separating Tshletshy Creek from the Quinault River. From there, paddlers must descend through overgrown trails, avalanche chutes, and downed timber to reach the upper headwaters. In early season, snowmelt from narrow tributaries may barely trickle into the channel—but a good rainstorm can quickly bring the creek to life.

Whitewater begins almost immediately, with successive gorges delivering a series of intense and varied drops. The first gorge includes five distinct ledges dropping roughly 100 feet, which can be portaged on the left. The second gorge conceals a 10-foot vertical drop around a blind right-hand corner. About a mile downstream, the third gorge—known as “the Tshlasm”—drops approximately 150 feet through several falls and is also portageable on the left. Many other rapids are blind and require scouting, and wood is ever-present—typical of Olympic Peninsula creeks.

The middle section of the run features continuous Class IV–V whitewater, punctuated by a few unrunnable or highly consequential drops depending on flow and

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