1. Hamma Hamma Falls to Hamma Hamma Campground (Upper)

An extreme Olympic Peninsula creek with several technical drops and some mandatory portages. The river is for experts and this segment should be approached with extreme caution with paddlers carefully choosing the section appropriate for flows and their skill level. The season typically begins with fall rains in November and continues throught the winter and then into spring with snowmelt that depending on snow pack can last into early July. Not recommended during high flows (above 250 cfs). Some come for the whitewater run but the real draw for some of the world's top paddlers is the double tier drop (20' and 60') of Hamma Hamma Falls at the start. ACCESS: At Highway 101 mile 317.9 Take FR 25 (Hamma Hamma Road) as it runs west into the National Forest. Head up this road past Hamma Hamma Campground. Contine on FR 25 as it winds along the river to a take-out at Lena Creek (or find a spot anywhere along here between Lena Creek Campground and Hamma Hamma Campground with goood roadside access). The standard put-in is another 5 miles or so up the road where you can find river access. Continue on up to Mildred Lakes Trailhead and the end of the road if you are seeking out Hamma Hamma Falls. The road will likely be snowed in through the winter. Check road reports under Recereation, Current Conditions, Hood Canal South, on the USFS Olympic National Forest web site. for additional information see: - Korb, G. 1997. A paddlers guide to the Olympic Peninsula. third edition. - Hamma Hamma trip report at WetDawg - local expert: Gary Korb & Carol Volk, 4930 Geiger Road, Port Orchard, WA 98366, 206-876-6780 - Hood Canal Ranger District, South - USFS Olympic National Forest web site