When river levels get low in the summertime, whitewater kayakers like me head over to the Powerhouse run below Snoqualmie Falls to practice on little holes and surf waves. Putting in at the base of Snoqualmie Falls takes some extra effort – you have to carry your kayak nearly to the end of the boardwalk, hoist it over the rail and then use several people or a rope to lower your boat down to the rocks – and then there’s another jaunt across boulders to the edge of the pool below the falls.
But… it’s all worth it! I was so glad my friend Chris Peele took these shots last time she was up there because I never seem to bring my video camera when I go there.
Heading up to Snoqualmie Falls - Photo by Chris Peele
Wind and spray from the falls make it feel like a blizzard. Photo by Chris Peele
And on sunny afternoons there's always a rainbow.... Photo by Chris Peele
OK, this is NOT me in these photos. My friend Butch Vision returned from a Grand Canyon trip with these photos of himself kayaking through Lava Falls, the biggest rapid – they’re so amazing I had to share! (Photos by Steve Burger.)
Entering Lava Falls rapid
So far so good.
Oops...
Going for a second try at a roll. Notice the huge wave coming up on the left.
Picking up the pieces at the end of the rapid... (Butch was fine, just took a little swim.)
I’ve never been in waves like these, but just from running regular rivers I can tell you that the waves look 2 or 3 times bigger when you’re actually in the rapid, so just imagine what these were like!
McCurdy Park in Seattle is the home of MOHAI, the Museum of History and Industry. Located just north of 520, it’s bordered by the Arboretum on on side and the Ship Canal on the other, so when you stroll around the arboretum paths you’re likely to see local rowing crews practicing.
Recently I was there on a nice day with my whitewater kayak to practice on the slalom gates that hang right next to the 520 bridge. Here are some pics from that day.
Entrance to McCurdy Park
A little loud, but pretty
Nice paths lead along the waterfront
The locals are friendly
The kayak slalom gates are past this heron, near the bridge
I should put in another plug for the excellent Washington Kayak Club - full of super-nice people like Jennie Goldberg from the the NW Whitewater Racers, who volunteers her time to teach people like me slalom skills.
For the record, when it comes to me I’m using the term ‘skills’ loosely.
I’ve been whitewater kayaking a lot with the Washington Kayak Club (an AMAZING group of people, by the way) and I often attach a video camera in a waterproof case to my life jacket and tape our runs.
Here’s a funny little video of me being bested by a shrub on the South Fork of the Snoqualmie last Sunday:
