Although a short run by itself, the lower section of Matheny Creek is a great intermediate creek run with class III and IV whitewater. Another bonus is that the bedrock gorges have good water even at relatively low levels. You can lengthen this run by combining it with the middle section which contains some good class III whitewater (
see descriptions for upper and middle sections). The first gorge consists of several III+ rapids packed together for nearly continuous action with a couple of spots requiring class IV moves. At higher levels these rapids can become class IV, but everything is fairly straightforward for those with good boat scouting skills. The action tapers off slightly through a short stretch before you hit the second gorge. This gorge is similar in nature to the first but slightly longer with several more fun class III+ rapids. It ends with two IV- rapids that require scouting (at least to check for logs). The first is 'Call 911', a ledge that drops into a set of holes on river left and the second is 'Bowling Ball', a narrow chute with a 15' diameter 'bowling ball' complete with giant-size finger holes on river right. After this drop the river serves up a few more fun class III rapids before tapering off for the final time as the takeout bridge comes into view.
Access: At mile 137.5 on Highway 101 take FR 21 east (this is also marked as West Boundary Road). Follow FR 21 to mile 7.9 and the put-in bridge across Matheny Creek (parking upstream river right). Continue to mile 8.2 on FR 21 and turn left onto FR 2180. Follow this road 0.2 miles and turn left on Q-2000. Follow this road 2.6 miles to the takeout bridge across Matheny Creek (it actually becomes Q-1800 about 1 mile into this drive as you make a hard left turn at a gate that blocks continued travel on Q-2000). Parking is upstream river right but the best access is downstream river left and you can park along the road on that side. For current information on roads check the
Olympic National Forest web site (check rec reports for Pacific Ranger District - South) or call 360-956-2400.
for additional information see
- Korb, G. 1997. A paddlers guide to the Olympic Peninsula. third edition.
- Bennett, J. and T. Bennett. 1997. A guide to the whitewater rivers of Washington, second edition. Swiftwater Publishing. Portland, OR.
- Pacific Ranger District, South -
USFS Olympic National Forest web site