Big Quilcene River
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Raps:0-3, max ↨25ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Required 9mi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parking: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shuttle: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Jul-Sep (avg for this region)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
47.7800, -122.9428
47.7802, -122.9413
47.7724, -122.9183
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
The Big Quilcene River is located on the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula. It has carved itself a wonderful gorge several miles long and up to 300 feet deep. There are a few small waterfalls and many wet seeps on the steep canyon walls. It is a strenuous trip which is well worth the effort. The river has part of its water diverted above the gorge to provide Port Townsend’s water supply. This description is based on conditions which existed during a trip in late September after a dry summer. The gage near the river mouth was over 40 CFS. There was considerable current in the river.
- Make sure the Big Quilcene River is running at a comfortable level before attempting this route. Wear a wetsuit and have your flotation dialed.
- The checkpoint is to hike down the trail to the Big Quilcene from the Rainbow Campground to check the flow.
- For the first descent in a given year, it may be wise to bring a short rope and harness. Logs getting washed downstream can get jammed in constrictions. More debris fills in behind them to create a natural dam. Sometimes, they can get quite large. Technical gear provides options should you need them.
Approach[edit]
After dropping a shuttle car at the Rainbow Campground, head north about 3.5mi and turn left into Penny Creek Rd. At about 1.5mi, bear left on Big Quilcene River Rd (FR 27) for 1.8mi. At a Y-junction, bear left for a final 1.8mi to where it runs close to the river. Park and head down at any convenient spot directly to the river.
Descent[edit]
- DCR = Down Canyon Right; DCL = Down Canyon Left.
- Always check the depth before jumping. Just because it was a good jump last year...
Head downstream and you'll enter the Quilcene Gorge quickly, soon reaching:
- R1: Casserly's Cascade: 25ft waterfall named in memory of Justin Casserlly, first person to run it in a kayak. He died less than a year later in Mexico. There is a memorial plaque attached on a rocky shelf DCL. Rappel to a shelf next to the water from tree DCL. It may be possible to jump from the ledge next to the plaque, but check the depth first. Or bypass DCL by scrambling up and doing a 50ft downclimb of a steep, loose gully.
Downstream, there are two other small waterfalls which can present a challenge.
- R2: 10ft rappel or handline from logjam.
- R3: 8ft. Rappel or traverse sloping ledge DCR and jump into a pool.
After about 0.5mi, One-and-a-Half-Mile Creek enters DCR.
Exit[edit]
After about 1.4 miles, the river abruptly turns left and heads off north. The canyon widens out and the walls are less steep. Look for a trail DCR leading up from the river to the Rainbow Campground. It can be easy to miss.
Red tape[edit]
Unknown if one can park for day use only at the Rainbow Campground. If not, possibly one can park outside the gate along the shoulder of Hwy 101.
Beta sites[edit]
CanyoneeringNorthwest.com (archive.org) : Big Quilcene River
Trip reports and media[edit]
Video by Haruka-James Clay Lipscomb