Shippard's Falls are located on the Lower Wind River between High Bridge and the Columbia River. They are a series of waterfalls that have small pools between them, and have a fish ladder along the side to make hiking back up reasonable. We decided to head out to them this afternoon with some kayaks and a raft to see what damage we could do.

Getting the raft in was quite an ordeal because of the 1-2 mile hike to the falls. We parked at the Warm Springs Hotel and walked down the track. Its a well maintained trail, but was difficult at some points. Carrying a 13 foot raft in made us really appreciate the beauty of our kayaks.

We were a bit out of place at the hotel... no hassle, but a few confused looks.

Carrying the raft proved difficult, but not impossible.

At the end of the trail in there is a swing bridge that crosses over the top of the falls. This proved one of the most difficult challenges of the day because the raft was a lot larger than the gates to the bridge. We had to pass it around the side of the rails to get it on.

The crew carries the Sotar across the swing bridge.

The first drop in the series is about 10 feet and has a nice soft landing zone. It is well aerated and makes for good boofing practice. There is also the flake on the left side that is worth at least one good launch, although the landing zone is a bit harder.

The first drop, Raft 1 running. No speed, off line.

Todd Collins boofs the first rock shelf.

After a short pool, the second drop appears as a horizon line around the corner. Its about an 18-footer with a boof flake about half way down.

Raft 1 about to get rocked in the 18-footer.

Raft 1 landing the second drop. Genevieve started in the front right and ended on her head rear left. Chris looks like he's about to just give up.

Raft 2 did better, with only Todd hitting his head hard on Jaco's helmet.

Jonathan Blum runs the 18-footer in Shippard's Falls.

Genevieve on the 18 footer.

The raft did pretty well on the drops. It tacoed badly on a few of the runs, and the passengers complained that it was, "like being in a car wreck in a raft." I stayed away from the rafts, as I always get injured rafting, but did manage to get in 4 laps on the falls before nightfall. Todd hit his head pretty hard on Jaco's helmet, so he and I walked out and met the group who paddled out at the takeout. They were getting stuck all over the place on the run-out because of the low water, and when they finally turned up around 9pm, it was dark and they were walking the raft down the river. Quite an epic adventure.

Todd scouting out the third rapid and weir on Shippard's.

Check out the Wind in these other TRs to see the full run:

5/29/2006- Wind River, Stabler to Colombia River WA - IV+ (V)
4/30/2006- Wind River, Stabler to Columbia River, WA - IV+ (V, P)
4/28/2006- Wind River, Stabler to Columbia River, WA - IV+ (V, P)
4/2/2006- Wind River, High Bridge to Columbia River, WA - IV (V, P)

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