Klickitat River

The Klickitat is one of Washington's premier whitewater rafting trips, and was pioneered by Downstream River Runners during the 1983 season. Cascading through a spectacular gorge in south central Washington, the Klickitat will hold you awestruck with its dramatic scenery and sense of wild solitude. Very similar in character to the Tieton but more remote and demanding, the Klickitat is only runnable in the spring. The place is truly enchanted: 200 foot high walls of hanging columnar basalt border the narrow channel echoing the river's intensity. The lower gorge affords spacious views of the canyon rim, spotted with pines and usually flooded with sunshine.

 

On our two day program, we start the first day by running the Class II & III white water of the lower gorge. After you've gotten your feet wet and worked up an appetite, well break for lunch. We then continue downstream, getting everyone tuned up for the running of the upper gorge on the morrow. That evening, at our remote riverside camp, ready yourself for a sumptuous dinner prepared by the guides and served with panache. After dinner relax around the campfire, getting to know your fellow paddlers and enjoy a private concert with Casey and his guitar.

 

Rise the next morning to a hearty breakfast and prepare yourself for the challenge of the upper gorge. While none of the rapids are greater than Class IV-, they just keep coming as they rush through the narrow channel of the upper gorge. The river is swift and constantly dropping

(50 feet per mile) which keeps the excitement at a peak level. Even so, we will stop occasionally to catch our breath and savor the beauty of this wilderness canyon. All in all our two day Klickitat trip is a most unique and satisfying experience.