This hole looks a lot better than it is. MRI Hole at 6ft  photo: © fields

Kevin Matsell taking it vertical in MRI at 6ft   photo: © fields

Just downstream from the 12 mile bridge on Oregon Highway 6 there is another play spot tucked away. The MRI Hole is located at the first river right bend below the bridge. MRI is a shallow cartwheel and spinning hole that offers play boaters yet another place to throw ends at lower water levels on the Wilson. The MRI hole is fairly wide wave higher water levels but the eddy service just doesn't work much above 6.3 ft. Conveniently enough MRI comes to life at about the time the 12 Mile Waves get to low.

Keep in mind that the MRI Hole is shallow. Several paddler report hitting rock while upside down after flushing out of the hole. During your ride you can expect to nip your bow and stern on rock at least a few times. Despite being shallow the MRI Hole is a fun place to play when nothing else on the Wilson is in. It is one spot that never draws a crowd. Expect to take a little abuse while playing at MRI hopefully not enough to necessitate an elbow or shoulder MRI.

To make this spot park and play you have to carry you boat upstream to the pool above the Hole and eddy hop back upstream until you make to one of fisherman's trails that will get you back up to the road on the upstream side of the bridge. Take the easy and do a many run between the 12 mile bridge and Kansas Creek Bridge to access the MRI Hole.

There is eddy service from both sides of the river for the hole. The best option is to catch the river-left eddy right behind the hole. If you flush hard paddle for the river right eddy (moving water) and keep paddling until you get to the calm part of the eddy from which you can ferry out into the hole. The river right eddy is a lot of work and during every session someone will miss it and end up carrying their boat back up to the eddy. This place can be very tiring above 6.3 ft it may be almost impossible to bust out onto the wave from the river-left eddy tipping the work to play ratio out of balance (too much work). This is another play spot the eddy service makes appropriate for expert paddlers.

5.0 - 5.7 ft: Only the far river-right side of the hole will be deep enough to play in and it will be shallow and very retentive.

5.8 - 6.3ft: The best levels for the MRI Hole, remember this place is always shallow. Stay in control so that you can make the easy eddy right behind the hole.

above 6.3 ft: The eddy service doesn't really work anymore and the hole isn't good enough to justify hiking just to spin.

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 several hundred yard downstream of the muddy turn out just upstream from the 12 mile bridge on Oregon Highway 6 across the highway from a newly built rest area.

To make this spot park and play you have to carry you boat upstream to the pool above the Hole and eddy hop back upstream until you make to one of fisherman's trails that will get you back up to the road on the upstream side of the bridge. Take the easy and do a many run between the 12 mile bridge and Kansas Creek Bridge to access the MRI Hole.

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 bridge. 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 MRI Hole drive onto the Goat Hole on the Nestucca River or head to Tillamook for some ocean surf. If it is a bit high for MRI check out the 12 Mile Waves. 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!