Cowlitz

I ran this stretch on Sunday, 19 August for the first time when the flow was about 3000 cfs. This was a great level. I only scraped the bottom once, and that was because I took the wrong channel. I ran this in an inflatable kayak (Tributary Tomcat Tandem) with no problems. The rapids were very easy Class II. I saw lots of people out in Intex inflatable rafts and recreational kayaks with no sprayskirts, and they seemed to be fine. There were not a lot of strainers, but there were about three places where the current would pull you into a strainer if you let it. One in particular was on a curve to the left, where the current pulled strongly to the outside under a low-hanging tree. Fortunately it's easy to avoid, as long as you're alert.

This is my new favorite river in the immediate area for solo floats.