Hood River (east fork) in Oregon

Trip Overview

I'm pretty new to whitewater kayaking so this run was pretty difficult. It was almost non-stop whitewater. Granted, we did have 3 times the normal snowpack this year and we went right after a huge melt.

We put in at the Copper Dam, although you can put in at the Tucker Bridge or higher and hike around the dam. We got out on the Columbia at the port just past the pedestrian bridge.

There's some great scenery along this run. Towards the end you can see the water pipe that runs to the power station on Highway 35.

Accommodations:

none

Fees:

No. There is a parking fee during summer on the west side of the bottom of the river plus there's a longer hike.

Directions:

To put in at the dam, go to Orchard Road (by Nobis) and follow it until it curves. Take a left and stay on the "main" road. If you park a shuttle at the port by the wooden stairs that go down to the small beach by the pedestrian bridge on the E side of the river then you'll barely have to walk.

Resources:

No. There is some good info on the water tube in Scott See's "Curious Gorge." It's a must-have hiking book that also gives a bit of river info.