Class: V
Quality: 5
Location: White Salmon, WA
Trip Time: 1 hour
Level: Visual, 2.8 is low, 3.5 is medium, above 4.2 is high
Put-in: 45.764149, -121.629909
Take-out: 45.718604, -121.646846
Description:
Half a mile of class III brings you to a a river wide log jam. Portage on river left. Once you’re on the other side of the portage the run starts to get steep and doesn’t let off until take-out. The first rapid is the longest and starts right immediately downstream from the log jam. “Getting Busy” is half a mile long boulder garden meandering straight off the face of the earth. It’s good to have some one to follow because not every channel is good to go and this rapid leads directly into “Boulder Sluice.” Eddy out above “Boulder Sluice” on river left and you’ll be able to see down most of the rapid right up to the horizon line of the ledge below. You’ll want to weave through the first part of the rapid then move for the far left side of the river as you approach the ledge. Give yourself some room to keep moving left all the way off the drop. This 12′ waterfall gets its name for the massive boulder directly in front of the drop.
Below “Boulder Sluice” is a long section of boogie rapids. The next named rapid is “Toaster Slot.” “Toaster Slot” it a small drop with a narrow line. Try to ride on the curler and not hit the rocks but if you do it’s not a big deal. Immediately downstream is the entrance to “Island.” “Island” is arguably the hardest rapid on the run but far from the most consequential. Head down the center with a bit of left to right momentum. For the best line don’t boof any of the pillows, just ride in between them then boof the ledge at the bottom. If you don’t want to run this one you can portage on the left or sneak on the right.
Another bend in the river brings you to “Double Drop.” This one is, wait for it, a double drop! Run both down the middle or sneak on the right. Following “Double Drop” is a long section of boogie rapids. Meander down the class IV boulder gardens for a half a mile. When the river splits around a large island your at “Enchanted Forest.” This is one of the easiest named rapids on the run but when the two halves of the river come back together your heading fast into “S-Bend.” “S-Bend” is a double drop of 15′ onto 5′ set in an s-bend in the river. There’s a number of different lines depending on water levels. Far left is the normal high water line while far right is the race line. Watch out for a scary cave on river left at the bottom if the flows below 3.4.
After another long section of boogie you’ll eventually get to a horizon line. This rapid is called “Backender.” The first horizon line is only a 4′ ledge. Run this one on the far right and you’ll see another horizon line just downstream. The main line is to go center and punch the hole right at the lip of a 7 foot drop. This one can be snuck by going right of center. A short section of boogie takes you around the corner to “Bowie’s.” This rapid consists of about 100 yards of big boogie, typically run down the right, leading straight into a 5′ ledge. This is a sweet rapid but be aware of the big cave at the bottom on river left. You don’t want to miss your boof on this one!
“Wishbone” is just downstream now. This is the end of the race course and the cleanest drop on the run, or at least the only one with a big pool at the bottom. There’s a few different lines to try on this 20’er but the standard line is to go far left to hit an auto-boof flake. The pools big at the bottom but it also drains straight into “The Gorge.” This rapid starts off with a steep constricted section and then opens up before finishing into the “Horseshoe Hole.” You want to boof this one far right but make sure you give yourself enough room to drive right off the lip. You don’t want to get stuck in this hole because its less than 50′ from “Stovepipe.” “Stovepipe” is one of the most iconic Little White rapids. The river splits around a small island of lava rock and the right channel has a boof that sends you just under an old growth. The left line is a bit more challenging with a pushy lead in and a big cave just downstream, you don’t want to mess this one up!
After another long section of boogie you’ve made it to the “Spirit Falls.” Named for its awe-inspiring beauty “Spirit” is the cherry on top of dream run! This 30′ waterfall couldn’t be cleaner other than the stout rapid immediately below it. The drop is big enough you’ll want to get your bow down but the pool is chaotic enough that you’ll want to land in control. Aim for a 45 degree angle and try to get your bearings quickly so your ready to run “Chaos” just downstream. This rapid has a pushy entrance and a boxed in hole that you wont swim out of. So tuck your pull cord in or better yet set safety and have fun trying to clean this drop.
After “Chaos” you’re almost done with the run. 200 yards of class IV takes you to the gauge right above the last named rapid, “Master Blaster.” Start this one on the left moving right and once you figure out the line you might clean this one 50% of the time. This rapid is terrible and will leave a sour taste in your mouth after an otherwise flawless run. Make your way over the two dams and paddle across the lake to takeout.
The Kayak State 