A perfect day on Opal Creek

There is absolutely nothing better than paddling a new section of river with good friends.  Saturday we had a beautiful day and I paddled waterfalls and rapids I’d yet to see.

I’ve kayaked in the  Opal Creek Wilderness a few times over the years.  The standard run involves parking at the trailhead, hiking your boat about a mile downhill, then paddling to 3 Pools.  This section of river is the most beautiful stretch of river I’ve paddled in the Northwest.  Carving its way through an old growth forest, Opal Creek is lined by amazing rock formations and fun class IV rapids.

Saturday we hiked an extra 30 minutes, mostly uphill, to run a higher part of Opal Creek.  Walking in your drysuit, carrying 40-50 lbs of boat and gear uphill is not fun.  At best, it is a decent amount of work for a little bit of reward.  This day it was well worth it.  The upper stretches of Opal Creek were awesome.  We got to run a few new waterfalls and I stomped all of them.  Everyone had good lines all day.  Smiles abounded and it was the best day we’ve had this year.