Whitewater Packraft - Washougal River: NE Vernon Road to Hathaway Park

Trip goals are:

1. Be safe

2. Enjoy a day on the river with paddling companions in a relaxed pace as best afforded by the conditions.

3. Offer a whitewater experience to any Mountaineers members with the necessary skills and inclination

4. Work the currents, wave trains, eddies, and surf waves as best we can both for fun and improving skills

Participants should have prior experience with class 3 whitewater, preferably in a small boat such as a packraft, canoe, kayak, or inflatable kayak.

Only packrafts are welcome on this trip. No other type of boats will be allowed.

Meet at Hathaway Park, 799 25th St, Washougal, WA 98671 at the lower parking lot in the paved section just downstream of the boat ramp and adjacent to the restroom building.

Meet at 10:00 AM.

There is a restroom at Hathway Park. There is no restroom at the launch point.

We will consolidate into as few vehicles as reasonably possible for the short drive up to the launch point at the bridge over the Washougal River at NE Vernon Road. All other vehicles will be left at Hathaway Park so they will be there when we reach the park at the end of the paddle trip.

Be ready to head upstream by 10:30 AM toward the launch point.

This river section has challenging rapids generally up to class 3 at normal desirable flows. 

We will do the trip if the level on the NOAA gauge is between 5.3 feet and 7.0 feet.

If the level is above 7.0 feet, we will consider a lower launch point so as to put in below the most significant rapid at Cougar Creek.