Trip Report: Whitewater Kayaking Canyon Creek
When: 11/23/2018
Location: Canyon Creek, Amboy Washington . (1 hour from PDX)
Conditions: Perfect sunny fall day! 700cfs (great medium/Low flow)
Duration: 2-3 Hours
Difficulty: Class 4/5 whitewater
Kid Friendly: No
Pet Friendly: Can your dog paddle class 5?
Usefull links: www.americanwhitewater.org
The Full Report:
Canyon Creek is probably the most famous creek in the entire Pacific Northwest. It is known for its epic drops and beautiful scenery. It has a classic race held there every year put on by Next Adventure called the "Northwest Creek Comp." Canyon Creek is a Class 4+ or full-on class 5 depending on flows. This is for experienced boaters only. But that being said, once you reach that level of paddling you will start to know this run like the back of your hand and be jonsin' to do it again as soon as you're done!
The run starts with some fun class 3 and some awesome surf waves to warm up on. Then once you round a huge bend with a big tree in the water on river left, you'll know the action is gonna pick up. This marks "Swizzle Sticks" which you want to enter on river right with a strong left forward stroke. After that is "Termination" which means you want to enter on far river left and then head back right. After this rapid, you will enjoy at least 5 awesome drops one of them being Big Kahuna. This is the biggest falls on the run and the one I have pictured here.
This one is to be run on the right side with a nice left boof stroke. When the action is done there is about a 15-minute flat water paddle out of the reservoir back to the take out. You will see nice set of stairs under the bridge (thanks to American Whitewater) which will lead to the parking lot.
All in all, Canyon Creek is an epic run that will quickly become an all-time favorite. Let a local take you down your first time and always keep your eyes out for wood. (Clear as of Christmas 2018). If you're not up for this run maybe taking an Into or Intermediate creeking course with Next Adventure would be a good step in getting there. Have Fun and BE SAFE!
The Full Report:
Canyon Creek is probably the most famous creek in the entire Pacific Northwest. It is known for its epic drops and beautiful scenery. It has a classic race held there every year put on by Next Adventure called the "Northwest Creek Comp." Canyon Creek is a Class 4+ or full-on class 5 depending on flows. This is for experienced boaters only. But that being said, once you reach that level of paddling you will start to know this run like the back of your hand and be jonsin' to do it again as soon as you're done!
The run starts with some fun class 3 and some awesome surf waves to warm up on. Then once you round a huge bend with a big tree in the water on river left, you'll know the action is gonna pick up. This marks "Swizzle Sticks" which you want to enter on river right with a strong left forward stroke. After that is "Termination" which means you want to enter on far river left and then head back right. After this rapid, you will enjoy at least 5 awesome drops one of them being Big Kahuna. This is the biggest falls on the run and the one I have pictured here.
This one is to be run on the right side with a nice left boof stroke. When the action is done there is about a 15-minute flat water paddle out of the reservoir back to the take out. You will see nice set of stairs under the bridge (thanks to American Whitewater) which will lead to the parking lot.
All in all, Canyon Creek is an epic run that will quickly become an all-time favorite. Let a local take you down your first time and always keep your eyes out for wood. (Clear as of Christmas 2018). If you're not up for this run maybe taking an Into or Intermediate creeking course with Next Adventure would be a good step in getting there. Have Fun and BE SAFE!