Lower Wind River.

Well, summer time flows are oficially here in SW Washington, and most of our rivers are pretty much dried up. There is, however, some good news: Shipherd's Falls is coming in!

The drive into the Gorge.

Overlooking the Gorge from Cape Horn.
As you can see, the gauge rock is completely exposed.
Brian Rudd demonstrates his riverside pre-run warm up routine.
Tyree Wilde somewhere near the beginning of High Bridge rapid.

Brian Rudd, same drop.
Near the middle of High Bridge rapid is a nearly riverwide ledge. At this flow, there isn't really a hole. At higher water, however, this ledge apparently gets pretty sticky.
Brian Rudd, same drop.

Below High Bridge rapid is a cool little gorge that I call the Pirate Cove. The confluence of Panther Creek is just at the end of this picture where the river bends right.

After the confluence of Panther creek, there are some fun class II-III drops. Then there is the ledge in this photo which occurs about 200 yards above the Flume.

Tyree Wilde on the ledge above the Flume.

The top half of the Flume. The ledge from the previous picture is barely visible in this photo.

The bottom half of the Flume.
Myself, halfway through the Flume.
The flume from downstream.
After the Flume, there is a class III drop that starts off with a sloping tounge that drives straight into a hole that tends to give a lot of paddlers tailstands. Immediate following this drop is Beyond Limits, which is marked by a fish ladder on the left. According to the guidebook, this class VI waterfall slams onto a rocky keeper. We've run it many times at low water, when the hole becomes more managable. At high water, it is an uphill paddle over the boil line even if you do clear the bottom hole. Approach this drop with caution.


Beyond Limits.

After Beyond Limits, there is a fun class III-III+ boogie section. A footbridge above the river marks the approach of Shipherd's Falls. Shipherd's consists of two vertical drops, one slide, and a weir drop. There is a class III drop above the fish ladder at the falls that should be approached with caution. If there were a swim here, it would be very easy for someone to get sucked into the fish ladder.

Drop 1.
Drop 2.
Drop 3.
Looking upstream at Shipherd's Falls.
Brian Rudd and Tyree Wilde look at the dam at the bottom and discuss their options.

At this flow, it looks like it needs to come down just a little bit more before the falls are easily managable.
When you can't run the falls, the only option is to jump off.
Brian Rudd tosses his boat over.

Brian Rudd swims to shore.

After the falls, there is a hot springs that is pretty nice. It has been know to contain nude folks from time to time!

A little ways beyond the hotsprings is some new wood. At this level, it was easily paddled over, but come next winter it may be more of a hazard.

So, How was your run Brian?