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Calawah River II-II+

When:
Saturday, February 17, 2018, 10:00 AM until Sunday, February 18, 2018, 5:00 PM
Where:
Highway 101 to Bogachiel River take out
Forks, WA  
Additional Info:
Event Contact(s):
Joyce Stuart
Category:
River Trip
Registration is recommended
Payment In Full In Advance Only
No Fee
The Calawah is a fun Class 2+ river in Forks, WA , but catching the correct flows is super tricky. It can blow out into flood stage after a big storm, then dry up the next day due to a freeze. American Whitewater states the runnable range between 2000-4000cfs, which is actually too high for an enjoyable kayak/canoe run. In the past couple of years, 1000cfs- 1500cfs is super sweet for nice Class 2 rapids, (at the higher flows, they are underwater). This makes catching that sweet spot even trickier.

Nevertheless, we shall persist!

We hope to run this entire 17 mile section over 2 days. 
  • Hyas Creek to Hwy 101- has a long Class 3 boulder garden named "Hell's Half Mile". (What a great name!)

  • Hwy 101 to Wilson Boat Ramp- numerous fun 2 and 2+ rapids, with a stunning confluence with the Bogachiel, 
Which section on which day, will be decided closer to the paddling weekend. 

I will watch the weather reports diligently, updating those who sign up, via an email list. If it looks like "the storm of the century" is blowing in that weekend, I'll cancel the trip and reschedule, because everything will be too high to paddle.

Option #2 In the event the Calawah being too high to run, but no general local flooding, we can explore some of the other Class 2 runs in the area- Solduc, Bogechiel, Clearwater.

Meet-up time and place will be decided as the weekend approaches. 

Therefore, sign up by Wednesday the 14th, in order to receive the correct information. Or just wing it and find us in Forks, but know that wifi and phone connections are terrible.


Camping: at either Mora near Rialto Beach (costs $)


or Bear Creek (free) along Hwy 101 near Sapho- if we end up relocating to the Solduc