Whitewater Rafting in the Columbia River Gorge
Whitewater rafting is a family adventure that is both exciting and refreshing on a hot summer day!
Hattie Fletcher out on the river.
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By Hattie Fletcher
With the weather finally beginning to warm up, it’s time to get out on the water!
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as getting drenched by a wave of glacier water on a warm day.
And here in the Columbia River Gorge we are lucky enough to have some of the best whitewater rafting in the world right in our backyard!
The White Salmon River has multiple commercially run sections giving options for half and full day trips. Plus, with all the rain and mild temperatures this spring, the water is still flowing at a fun and splashy level. Sadly, this also means that Husum Falls, the fourth tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, is not currently runnable. If Husum Falls has been on your bucket list, there’s no need to fret. Though water levels are unpredictable, Husum should be runnable before the end of the summer. On the other hand, if a 12-foot waterfall isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, it is always optional.
Water depending, there are also a few other commercially run rivers close by. These rivers include the Hood, Klickitat, Wind, and Tieton. Most of these rivers are run in the spring; so, if you missed your chance this year, there’s always next year. But the Tieton River is a fun rollercoaster wave train type of trip that generally runs in September. Plus, while the commercially rafted section of the Klickitat is out, the very last section is mellow flat water that is nice to float down on a tube.
If you are planning on getting out on a river by yourself rather than with a company, it’s important to keep safety a number one priority. Some good safety tips are to always wear a life jacket and to research the stretch of river you plan to go down first.
With so many options, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose what trip is best for you.
Some basic river knowledge that can help you decide is the rapid class system. An I-V system is used to determine the difficulty of a rapid.
Class I is little ripples and rarely classified as an actual rapid.
Class II and class III are fun and splashy rapids.
Class IV is a bit bigger and more challenging but still fun for most people.
Lastly, class V is for the thrill-seeking folks who are looking for a bit more adrenaline. Most companies will require previous rafting experience before taking you down class V sections.
There are multiple river companies to choose from on the White Salmon and each company offers slightly different trips. Therefore, it is best to shop around a bit to find the company that best suits your needs. For example, a few companies will put in higher up on the river and run bigger class IV sections where others put in lower down river and stick to the class II-III sections. No matter your experience level, you’ll have a great time embracing nature in a unique and fun way.
So, bring your family and friends down to the river this summer for the adventure of a lifetime!
Book your river trip on the White Salmon today by following one of the links below!
