Upper Holiday Hole (Washing Machine)

The river makes a sharp turn to the right and enters a low gorge.   Large boulders block the entrance and constrict the main flow into a narrow channel on the right.   The river plunges down a steep ramp into a big hole.   The left side of the hole is the deepest.  The current pushes boaters to the left and they must paddle hard to cross back to the right and come down the right side of the ramp.  The hole can flip rafts and kayakers, sending swimmers on into middle and lower Holiday. 

Kayakers can avoid this chute by swinging wide to the left and negotiating narrow routes through some boulders.   This sneak route presents its own difficulties.  

A good potage trail is on river right.   Scout from this side also

Holiday Rapid is below the high water line of Terminus Reservoir so it is not visible in the aerial photo map. Still, in most years it is boatable for much of the spring whitewater season.