Park 'n Huck 'n ER

Kalama Falls is one of those Pacific Northwest gems that often gets overlooked. This 45 foot waterfall is hidden deep in the Gifford National Forest and only a short 1 ½ hour drive outside of Portland, OR.

We showed up at Kalama Falls at around 2000 cfs on the Canyon Creek, WA gauge. On arrival we ran into Evan and Nate Garcia, Brendan Wells, Kyle Hull and Brett Barton . . . so, I knew it had to be a pretty stout level.  I'd have to say that this waterfall is a lot friendlier at 1000 cfs on the CC gauge.

With over a dozen boaters at this falls, there were multiple laps done to catch some great lines and not so great lines. With so many people running a waterfall at a stout level, it wasn’t a surprise that at least one person walked away with an injury.

Needless to say, we spent a few hours in the ER after Nate’s run over the falls.  He did a good job at styling the drop, but took his bow to the face on landing.

I cannot wait to go back, maybe at a little less flow . . . so stoked to have PNW goods’ like this in our backyard.

Kalama Falls 2016 from Sheer Madness Productions on Vimeo.

Here's to whitewater . . . see you on the river!

Heather Herbeck

Team L6