This was the first guide training run on the Klick for Wet Planet Rafting.  We had a huge crew of boaters, and about a dozen guide trainees, so it promised a good day.  There were also bluebird skies, 70 degree weather and high water... all making for an awesome day of boating.  The drive in was spectacular, skirting the base of Mt. Adams and going through a national wild life preserve, complete with Elk herd (look left as you are driving through the reservation).

This was my first ever run down the Klickitat, and it was a great time.  The river isn't fabulous for thrills, but is in an amazing location.  It has a very very remote feeling as you settle in 500 to 1000 feet down in a basalt gorge.  The walls are vertical on all sides, and go up to the sky like a row of rock pine trees.  Amazingly gorgeous.

The rapids are continuous Class III with a few tricky moves to avoid logs as you go down.  About 10 miles down there is a fish hatchery that has a weir.  This is portageable on the right or left side, or runable on the far left.  There is an island below it and if you can make it on the left side of the island, you will probably be good for the weir.  However, it is a drowning machine, so keep that in mind and approach safely.  You can also walk up to the hatchery and see all the fry and eat lunch.

Below the hatchery, the run turns "scenic" and the gorge opens up to rocky hills covered in moss and crags with caves and rock formations.  It was amazingly beautiful.  I can't wait to get back in there.

The full 18 miles took us from 11:30 to 4:30 with a stop for scouting the weir and lunch.  I imagine it could be done faster, but why?  This is one to savor, and could even be made an overnight.  Access here can be sketchy because of the Indian Reservation, so figure out shuttle and logistics early.  This would be an impossible hitch hike.

On the drive home, it was gorgeous, and we got great views of Hood on the way out of the gorge.  I forgot my camera for the trip, but there is a new TR with lots of pics:

Klickitat River, FSR1410 to Leidl Campground, WA - III+ (3400cfs)

Mt. Hood over Hood River on the way home.

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