Robe Canyon: The Washingtonians staple.

Posted by Chris on October 27, 2007 at 11:58 pm | In Trip Reports |

Just 1 hour and 15 minute drive south of B’Ham will land you at one of the most classic Washington rivers: Robe Canyon of the South Fork Stillaguamish. After some major rearranging during the floods last winter, Robe has cleaned up (an understatement) and is once again proving itself to be the finest piece of whitewater around.

Off broadwayKayakers kayaking.

With some of the most reliable flows around Washington, nearly every boater I know has been getting a piece of the action this fall season. I have driven down their 6 times in the last 2 weeks, and I would have went more if I had the chance.

Ken Olivier on Last sunshineKen Olivier running Last Sunshine.

Today the scene was typical: Wake up hung-over, get a late start, make some calls, rally a group from B’ham, then meet up with the Seattle boys at the take-out, set shuttle and go kayaking.

Hil on Catchers mittHilary Neevel about to dodge the mitt.

The flow was on the low side today, but one of the improvements with this past winters’ floods is that nearly all of the rapids have clean lines, even when flows get into the upper 4’s. And even when the flows are low you will still find some pushy, continuous sections of whitewater.

Erik Boofing at GarbageErik Schertzl cleaning up the Garbage.

Todd Gillman stylin' Mrs. Robinson Todd Gillman stylin’ Mrs. Robinson.

Bear tracksSome bear tracks near the put-in.

Don’t forget to look around and enjoy the scenery on the paddle out. You will probably see a few eagles and if you are really lucky, maybe even some bears.

Hilary Neevel exiting the canyon

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