| Description:
The Washougal Hole is probably the closest
play spot to Portland, OR. The Washougal is a nice collection of
ledges in one rapid that churn up anything from multiple cart
wheeling holes to a big steep surging surf wave depending on the
water level. The holes at the Washougal are notoriously shallow with
sharp volcanic rock that loves to remove plastic from the ends your
boat. The Washougal has dealt out many an ego bruising to paddlers
who thought they were good play boaters. The second ledge at
the Washougal has a small but very strong hole affectionately known
at "The Pit" that has dealt out many a good thrashing to those
without strong edge control skills. I once saw, a rookie paddler
window shade a dozen times and still not get lucky enough to flush
much to the delight of those in the eddy.
Unfortunately the Washougal River is rarely
high enough to bring the play spot in. When the heavy rain shuts
off, shortly after so does the play spot. At lower river levels paddlers
who put in below the Salmon Falls Bridge are rewarded by the
church
waves on their way down river to the play spot. If these waves are
in the Hole will be on the low side. If the water level is high put
in at the North Fork bridge and check out the cool blasting hole on
the North Fork just above its confluence with the Washougal.
Access on the Washougal is tenuous. Make sure
that you don't put in at the Salmon Falls Church! The best way to
access the river from the North Fork Bridge. Take out either at the Canyon Creek Road Bridge
or just down stream at the fisherman's access just down the road on
Sportsman Lane (at the far east end of the bridge at Canyon Creek
Rd.). Don't park in
the Mercantile Park Lot though you are welcome to park in the turn
out across the street from the Mercantile. |
| Eddy Service: There is excellent eddy
service on river-right, next to the ledges. If you miss the eddy you
can take catch another eddy
behind the island on river-left and make a strong ferry back across
the river into the main river right eddy. The island makes a great place to take
a break and dump out your boat. However there are many houses right
above the hole so be discreet if you need to relieve yourself. |
| Water Levels:
Several days of heavy rain in Portland is
usually enough to bring the hole in.
There is a good correlation between the East
Fork Lewis at Heisson and the river level on the Washougal.
Generally when the E.F. Lewis at Heisson is between 2200 cfs and
4000 cfs the Hole at the Washougal will be in. However don't trust
this correlation when the river is falling quickly. The Washougal
drops much more quickly than the E.F. Lewis.
Before you boat it is a good idea to check water
level on the downstream river-right
footing of the bridge at The Washougal Mercantile. For there to
be any play at the Washougal Hole the water level needs to be no
lower than six to eight inches below the bottom of the
metal plate attached to the concrete
bridge footing. The best level for the second ledge (to be a hole)
is when the water is about an inch above the bottom of the metal
plate. There will be something surf at the Washougal Hole until the
water tops the large bolt (eight inches across) in the middle of the
bridge footing assembly. |
| Gauge: None see above |
| Season: Rainy Season, October to May
during or after periods of heavy rain |
| Difficulty: Strong intermediate on
up! Anyone with out strong play skills will be spending most of
their time trying to avoid "The Pit" (second ledge) at most water levels. |
| Driving Directions: Take the 15th
Street exit off of Washington Highway 14 in Washougal and head North
until you end up on Washougal River Road. If the river doesn't look
high at first glance turn around or plan on doing the run because
the hole is out. Follow the river road until you get to The
Washougal River Mercantile which will be your take out. Park your
vehicle at the fisherman's access (GPS 45°36.405 N, 122°13.980 W)
just across the bridge down Sportsman Lane or across the
street from the store. Then drive to just beyond North Fork Bridge
and park at a wide turn out.
Then walk back across the bridge and put-in on the downstream
river-right side of the bridge (GPS 45°36.893 N, 122°13.105 W) and
follow a thin fisherman's trail down to the river's edge. Don't try
and make your way down the river directly below the turn-out where
you parked. The property below the turn-out is private property and
the paths down to the river there are very steep and treacherous.
The nice old put-in at the Salmon Falls Church is no longer open to paddlers. |
| GPS Location: 45°36.570 N,
122°13.489 W - Hole, 45°36.808 N, 122°13.163 W - North Fork Hole |
| Closest Town: Washougal, WA |
| Closest Services: The Washougal River
Mercantile at the take-out has a market and a gas station. |
| Other Local Attractions if the play isn't
in: If the hole isn't in, Do the play run down to the
Fisherman's Access at Mile 3 on the Washougal River Road. At high
water this run is big water Class IV and watch out for The Big Eddy
Rapid and The House Hole right around the corner from Big Eddy at
the foot of the concrete wall. |
| Closest Camping: Camping at
undeveloped areas upstream above Dugan's Falls. |
| Local's Tips: Head to the play on the
Wilson or Bob's. Both have a gauge and better eddy service.. |
| Local Kayak Shops: Alder Creek and
Next Adventure are shops to hit in Portland. |
