Ken Pitta on the 2nd upper ledge at 12 mile at 7.5ft   photo: ©Fields

Jeff Woods milking the pile on the lower ledge at 12mile at 8ft   photo: ©Fields

Just upstream from the 12 mile bridge on Oregon Highway 6 are a nice collection of ledges. These ledges while not large present a good bit of variety in one play spot and another great place to park and play on The Wilson.

The 12 mile waves have two distinct set of features, the upper and lower ledges. The upper ledges are situated at the top of the rapid and present the option of surfing either one or two good waves with thin eddy service. The lower part of the rapids consists of a couple of small green waves and a small mid river ledge that can create a nice play hole depending on the flow. This small mid-river hole is the main eddy served feature at the 12 Mile Play Spot.

All in all, a nice Winter play spot and good place to avoid the crowds at Bob's Hole.

The eddy service for the 12 Mile Play Spot is a little on the thin side. On the upper ledges a delayed roll is going to mean that you will most likely blow past the upper eddy. If you want to get back you will have to carry your boat back up the rapid to regain the eddy. Beginners will have trouble staying in the upper eddy.

The Lower Hole has a large eddy that provides eddy service from river-left that will take you back well upstream of the hole. However a delayed roll here at higher water will mean that you will either have to catch a small eddy on river left below the main eddy and make a short carry back to the main river-left eddy. Alternatively you can catch the large river-right eddy below the wave and make your way back up that eddy and make a strong ferry back to the river left eddy. Devious paddlers may find ways to get back on The Lower Hole from the river-right eddy at the right water levels with a fast boat. The key at higher water levels is to leave have a controlled ride on The Lower Hole and so that you don't take a hard flush and miss the window for paddling back into the good river-left eddy. As the water levels rise the turbulent water behind The Lower Hole grow into strong boils that love to wrestle with tired play boaters and rookies kayaker alike much to the delight of other paddlers in the eddy.

Below 6.5 ft: There is some desperation play to be had here especially on the upper ledges near 5ft. But for most people it is hardly satisfying surf. You are better off doing the run down river from Jordan Creek (Mile 18 on Highway 6) and scavenging low water play along the way or heading downstream to the MRI Hole below the 12 Mile Bridge.

6.5 ft to 7.0ft: All of your surf time will probably be done on just the upper waves as the lower hole is out. You should still consider doing the run down from Jordan Creek and scavenging play along the way

7.0ft - 8.0ft: These are the best levels for the 12 Mile Waves when both the upper and lower waves are going strong. 7.3 ft - 7.5ft is the magic level, when another excellent wave comes end behind the main upper wave. This 2nd upper wave is great for throwing right blunts and backstabs and is fun to surf even with the thin eddy service.

8.0 ft - 9.4: The 12 Mile Waves still going but as the water level goes up the eddy service degrades and walks become more frequent. Expect to do a lot of walking back up to the eddies at water levels above 9.0ft.

Above 9.4 ft: The eddy service for the ledges in the 12 Mile Rapid becomes too thin to really be worthwhile.

Wilson River at Tillamook, OR. Be aware that river levels on the Wilson change quickly watch especially for big spikes during periods of heavy rain.

Rainy Season, October to May during or after periods of heavy rain

Intermediate on up. No serious hazards but having a strong, quick roll is essential to make the eddies. Getting on the waves gets harder as the water levels go up and eddies get more swirly.

Located at the muddy turn out just upstream from the 12 mile bridge on Oregon Highway 6 across the highway from a newly built rest area.

If you need gas, food or anything else Tillamook is fifteen to twenty minutes away.

Check out the Tillamook Cheese Factory or go on a hike or mountain bike ride on the abundant trails in the Coast Range.

There are campgrounds up river from the 12 Mile Waves. Abundant opportunities exist for camping at undeveloped sites along the river and off of mountain roads near by.

If the river is too low for the 12 Mile Waves to be in then head downstream to the MRI Hole. If the 12 Mile Waves are at the high end then head up to the 16 Hole or possibly the Cedar Butte Wave. Keep in mind that doing the run between Jordan Creek and the 12 bridge has some really good play on it. Watch out for the Narrows above 8ft!