The Tieton has many access points. The most commonly used spot is in the main camping area, up Tieton Road. If you follow Tieton Road across the river, and then start looking for campers, you really couldn't miss it. Even if you did, anywhere along this section is acceptable for a put in. Once on the river, it is totally non-stop until you reach the Windy Point Campground where you can takeout, so make sure your group is together and ready before putting it.

The run can go about 15 miles in under two hours, so it remains very continuous. There are a number of named rapids, the most significant of which, push Class III+. The river as a whole pushes Class III+, simply because there are no eddys, and the few that exist don't really stop you, they just slow you from the main current.

The first noteable feature on the river is the large diversion dam, about 6 miles into the run. There is ample signage above the dam, "Danger", ect... but it seems every year someone is left bitching about how they ran the middle, hit rebar, and wrecked their boat. Only run the dam on the far left, or portage left. There is a sticky wave behind the dam, so hit it with some speed and stay straight. I've never heard of anyone getting stuck here, but it wouldn't be fun!

The next rapid is about a mile down from the dam, in the town of Rimrock Resort. High Noon is the large rock pourover on the left side as you come into town. Its a pretty easy move, but needs to be done right. Either go right of it and then cut back left to avoid the rock wall, or go straight over high noon, and hit it square to avoid getting worked in the large hole behind it.

Just down from High Noon is the Bridge Wave. This playspot has changed this year and is easier to get on and off, and is great for learning surfers with a good roll. Make sure you catch this one: right under the bridge in Rimrock Resort. You'll notice the ranger standing on the bridge, and will be entertained by the wild and crazy barrage of rafts coming at you a million miles an hour. Keep a head up!

At flows of 14-1800 cfs, the bridge is super fun, kinda retentive, and good for flat spins, front surfs, and the occasional blunt. At higher flows its a bit flushier, but still worth the effort. There is good eddy service on the right side.

Setting up the righty blunt on the Bridge Wave. Sara Cohen photo.

Dan with the loop at Bridge Wave. Sara Cohen photo.

Backloop? Maybe not... Sara Cohen photo.

Righty. Sara Cohen photo.

Righty again. Sara Cohen photo.

Flushing. Super pissed. Sara Cohen photo.

Chris in the mist. Sara Cohen photo.

Charging. Sara Cohen photo.

Todd flushing. Sara Cohen photo.

The classic: Windowshade. Sara Cohen photo.

Below the Bridge Wave, the river mellows out for a bit before Waffle Wall. This tricky rapid has a huge concrete wall on the right side with a few large holes above it. Come in with a strong left angle to dodge the waffle wall and the holes. There is a small eddy down below on the right where rafts often regroup after the rapid.

Below this, the river mellows out before the takeout at Windy Creek Campground Bridge. There is lots of parking and a good takeout on the left side below the bridge.

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