Canyon Creek Washington Hit by Landslide

A Sad Site For Kayakers
Photo Credit: Ron Reynier

Severe winter weather causing record snow, flooding, high winds, and landslides slammed the Northwest this winter reminding us that Mother Nature calls the shots! Although kayakers welcome the heavy precipitation, when huge landslides send hundreds of logs into a classic creek run we realize weather can be bitter sweet. Recently a landslide slid into Canyon Creek Washington, blocking the class 4-5 gorge. Not only is this a favorite run for NW boaters, but it is the location of the Northwest Creeking Competition and the Canyon Creek Race. As the organizer of this race my heart dropped along with many others when we saw this picture. The event is still scheduled, but it is likely we will not be able to race on Canyon Creek. We will be going forward with the Sunset Falls Huck and possibly move the creek race to the East Fork of the Lewis. So check www.northwestcreekcomp.org for river conditions and updates on the competition.

Sincerly
Luke Spencer
Northwest Creeking Competition Organizer