1. Salmon Cascade to FR 2918 Bridge

This run offers continuous, exciting class III whitewater with some fun class IV rapids and a couple of great play spots. The flow is typically driven by winter rainstorms and is best when rivers are moderately high. A Washington Department of Ecology gage for the Sol Duc ( Sol Duc nr Quillayute) is located further downstream toward Forks. While it's possible to start higher up, the best whitewater begins at Salmon Cascade. This class V drop is occasionally run but can be challenging, especially at lower flows, with a daunting wall on river right. If you choose to start higher, it's worth stopping to inspect this drop so you can plan your run or portage route accordingly. Most paddlers begin at the base of Salmon Cascade and enjoy continuous whitewater all the way to the bridge. The run is primarily class III+ with a few class IV sections, featuring endless boulder gardens. As the water rises, the difficulty increases, with fun surf waves, holes, and whirlpools, but most of the run is read-and-run. One of the final rapids is a large ledge drop just downstream of the South Fork confluence, visible from river left. This rapid is difficult to scout from your boat, so it's a good idea to check it out from shore. The standard scouting or portage route is on river left. A large hole forms just right of center, which most will want to avoid. There are good eddies and nice play spots at the bottom of this drop. For those looking to extend the run, you can continue downstream to one of the access points along Highway 101. After the FR 2918 Bridge, the difficulty backs off to class III. Access Logistics: Take-out: At mile 219.2 on Highway 101 take Sol Duc Hot Springs Road south into Olympic National Park. The takeout can be reached at mile 4.2. You need to walk across the vegetated strip between Sol Duc Hot Springs Road and FS 2918 to get to the bridge (good access downstream on the river right side of the bridge), but it's a short hike with boats (the two roads are connected at mile 3.6, but it's gated). Put-in: The put-in is at mile 7.3 on Sol Duc Hot Springs Road at the viewing area for Salmon Cascade. An alternative put-in is available upstream at the bridge near Olympic Hot Springs resort. Note that Sol Duc Hot Springs road is typically closed with the first big snow and left closed until plowing at Hurricane Ridge stops. Check with Olympic National Park for the latest conditions. The Forest Service Road (FR 2918) on river left is left open but it starts to cut away from the river at the South Fork confluence (one option is to put on the South Fork). They usually know the road situation at the Resource Information Center in Forks 360-374-7566. for additional information see - Korb, G. 1997. A paddlers guide to the Olympic Peninsula. third edition. - Bennett, J. and T. Bennett. 1997. A guide to the whitewater rivers of Washington, second edition. Swiftwater Publishing. Portland, OR. - Olympic National Park web site - Pacific Ranger District, North - USFS Olympic National Forest web site