Bryan, Kenny, and I ran the West Fork of the Hood on a beautiful late winter day.  We got beta on the run from the Shed and headed up expecting a logjam somewhere in the first gorge.  We never saw it because we put in below the first gorge (at the first bridge), so make sure you get a chance to go up to the second bridge for a longer, more exciting run.

The river begins meandering through shallow rock gardens with some interesting features.  There is a rapid that has conglomerate rock banks that has an awesome play hole in it at certain levels.  There are also some good Class III boulder gardens along the way before reaching the fish ladder.

About two miles down there is a fish ladder that has about 10 x 3 foot ledges with sticky looking hydraulics backed up by the next cement ledge.  BE VERY CAREFUL.  This comes up VERY FAST.  Kenny and I almost blew over it because we were talking and didn’t see the horizon line (thank you Bryan!).  It was tempting to run, but none of us had the guts on this day.  Set safety if you want to run it.  Portage left along trail.

Below here the river enters the best gorge on the run, with a few fast, powerful rapids.  Lots of fun!  Right down the middle is almost always the preferred line on this run.  The final rapid under the bridge at the takeout is awesome with big waves in a deep canyon.  The takeout bridge looms a few hundred feet above.  Go under the bridge and walk out on the established trail.  Please stay on the trail as this is an unstable area with fragile vegetation. 

7-10 foot Punchbowl Falls is directly below the takeout and is a strange waterfall with a half concrete, half natural composition.  There is a fish ladder coming up the left bank, thus the concrete.  We ran right over the seam of the concrete and boofed hard over the hole below.  Penciling in on this hole would get you pummeled! But the pool below is a safe place to swim :-) Have a friend help with boats as the easiest way out is right next to the falls, and a slip could send you and your boat swimming into the falls.

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