4 - Highway 140 to Washougal (Big Eddy Section)

DESCRIPTION: This is a great run close to Portland that's a mix of several class II rapids, a couple of class III drops, and one great class IV. It flows during winter rains. The run starts out with a couple miles of class II rapids and the action picks up as you approach Big Eddy. This class IV boulder garden is the biggest drop on the run.   Easily scouted from the road, however remember that when scouting from above the gradient is not visible.  Below here the best class III follows in the short section down to the Mt Vernon Road bridge (another possible access).  Below there it's class I and II with occasional playspots all the way to the takeout, making the bridge a good launch for more tentative paddlers. BEGINNER RUN AND STEPPING UP FROM THERE: The vast majority of local boaters use the Washougal as a rainy season training run for beginners and early intermediates.  The boat ramp at Hathaway Park is civilized and has ample parking.  When people first start paddling they run they LAUNCH at Milepost 3, making it a short and fairly easy run with lots of small rapids.  Once they have mastered this section, they start launching at Milepost 5.  This added two miles has considerably more gradient and some great rapids, and it also has a lot of small play that is enjoyed by folks in playboats.  Launching at Milepost 7 is the next step up but avoids Big Eddy, which is a serious rapid, not for beginners.  When paddlers get good enough to run Big Eddy, they begin taking out at Milepost 3. LOGISTICS: At Highway 14 mile marker 16 turn north onto 15th St. into Washougal following the sign for City Center. In 0.4 mile this street becomes Washougal River Road and you cross the river and start heading upstream on river right. There are several homes along the river and public access is limited so you'll need to use the WDFW fishing access sites. The take-out is at Washougal River Road mile marker 3.0. There is a pull out and steep but wide trail down to the river used by drift boat fishermen. This site requires a WDFW access permit (Discover Pass) which can be purchased at the Washougal Mercantile, among other places. To reach the put-in continue upstream to mile 9.9 where you will encounter the Mercantile and Ten Mile Bridge which crosses the river. Head across to river left and immediately turn right on Sportsman's Road. Head a couple hundred yards downstream to the WDFW public access site between a couple of homes. The public access point is located on the downstream river left side of the bridge and within site of it.  An alternate launch point that shortens the run is a short distance above Big Eddy at the Public Fishing Road. It is possible to carry down to the water both above and below Big Eddy, and another launch point at milepost 7 is limited in parking capacity but allows people to join in two rapids below Big Eddy.