Upper Klickitat River
River: Upper Klickitat River (Parrot Crossing to Leidl Bridge)
Location: Glenwood, Washington
Date: Friday, June 9th - Sunday, June 11th, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rating: Class III+
Length: 19 Miles
Trip Information: Boating the Upper Klickatat River on Saturday with a Sunday boating option. 19 miles from the gauging station/launching site, located several miles North of the town of Glenwood to Leidl Campground. This run is fast-paced and continuous, that runs through a deep gorge with high columnar basalt walls and great scenery.
The upper canyon (above the Yakama Fish Hatchery) is class III+, continuous cold water with the possibility of some significant tree hazards. Swims can be dangerous, so wet suits or dry suits are recommended and a class IV attitude with constant attention to the oars is needed. There is an opportunity to pick up less adventurous passengers (i.e. kids) at the Fish Hatchery roughly half way through the run for a warmer, milder float for the last 10 miles.
The lower section of this run from the Yakama Fish Hatchery to Leidle Campground (10 miles) is a class II+ to III run. A little less subdued and not so continuous as the section of river above the Fish Hatchery, but still offers plenty of whitewater and still very scenic as the river canyon transforms from a heavily forested evergreen forest to a more diverse landscape.
Long-time club members Doug & Nancy Smith have been gracious to allow club members who are boating the Klickitat River for the weekend to camp on their large property located just a couple miles south of the town of Glenwood, WA and bordering the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Camping is available for both Friday and Saturday nights (and Sunday too). We'll have a potluck dinner on Saturday night. We'll run the river both Saturday and Sunday and have a potluck dinner Saturday night so come for the whole weekend or whatever portion works for you. The trip leader (Steve Herring, ) will provide more details as the date gets closer.
