Breitenbush River
Location - Oregon Cascades
Difficulty - Class III-IV Length - 6 miles
Level - 600 - 1,000 cfs
Date - Feb 2007 / March 2009
Difficulty - Class III-IV Length - 6 miles
Level - 600 - 1,000 cfs
Date - Feb 2007 / March 2009
The Breitenbush River is a crystal clear tributary of the North
Santiam originating on the western slopes of Mt Jefferson. This
mountain stream starts out feeling like a large creek and ends as
a small river before flowing into Detroit Reservoir. For the most
part, the run does not have a particularly high gradient, but the
run consists of many fun ledge drops set in mini canyons and a
handful of boulder gardens. Although the Breitenbush deserves
a class IV rating, its drops are spread out and at lower flows the
river is well suited for boaters looking to make a step into more
difficult runs. Despite not being the most difficult run around, the
river provides great scenery and plenty of fun even for more
experienced paddlers. Higher levels would continue to get more
fun and the difficulty of the Breitenbush would increase
significantly.
The put in is at the bridge leading to the Breitenbush hot springs
resort and the best access is by heading down to the water on
the north side of the bridge. Shallow class II leads around a bend
to the right as it cuts through a gravel bar before swinging back
to the left and running over a fun class III ledge. Soon a distinct
horizon line is reached as the river pours out of sight and around
a corner hiding a narrow gorge. This is one of the more
consequential rapids on the run and it should be checked for
wood since the narrow run out could be easily blocked. The best
line at lower flows is to boof the right side slot from right to left
before recovering and paddling through the runout. This hole
has the potential to get quite sticky at higher flows so either make
the move with confidence at higher levels or take the sneak on
river left.
Below the slot the river eases considerably, but class III/IV rapids
are fairly frequent and there are plenty of interesting features to
entertain all boaters. The rapids are a mixture of boulder
gardens and ledge drops, with the occasional log getting in on
the act. Maybe a mile below the Slot, the Bretitenbush drops
over a riverwide ledge with a clean boof on river left and a narrow
notch in the center with a root wad pinned in its right hand side
creating a nasty looking sieve. More of the same follows with a
few surprisingly large holes below a couple of the ledges. At low
water some fun surf waves are found and it is likely that there
would be some pretty good play at higher levels.
The Breitenbush is really pretty forgiving and only a few of the
drops are class I at lower levels. The scenery is great though and
there is plenty of interesting water to make the run entertaining.
Open stretches of river are broken up by mini gorges that
contain class III-IV rapids, some of which could contain wood.
Santiam originating on the western slopes of Mt Jefferson. This
mountain stream starts out feeling like a large creek and ends as
a small river before flowing into Detroit Reservoir. For the most
part, the run does not have a particularly high gradient, but the
run consists of many fun ledge drops set in mini canyons and a
handful of boulder gardens. Although the Breitenbush deserves
a class IV rating, its drops are spread out and at lower flows the
river is well suited for boaters looking to make a step into more
difficult runs. Despite not being the most difficult run around, the
river provides great scenery and plenty of fun even for more
experienced paddlers. Higher levels would continue to get more
fun and the difficulty of the Breitenbush would increase
significantly.
The put in is at the bridge leading to the Breitenbush hot springs
resort and the best access is by heading down to the water on
the north side of the bridge. Shallow class II leads around a bend
to the right as it cuts through a gravel bar before swinging back
to the left and running over a fun class III ledge. Soon a distinct
horizon line is reached as the river pours out of sight and around
a corner hiding a narrow gorge. This is one of the more
consequential rapids on the run and it should be checked for
wood since the narrow run out could be easily blocked. The best
line at lower flows is to boof the right side slot from right to left
before recovering and paddling through the runout. This hole
has the potential to get quite sticky at higher flows so either make
the move with confidence at higher levels or take the sneak on
river left.
Below the slot the river eases considerably, but class III/IV rapids
are fairly frequent and there are plenty of interesting features to
entertain all boaters. The rapids are a mixture of boulder
gardens and ledge drops, with the occasional log getting in on
the act. Maybe a mile below the Slot, the Bretitenbush drops
over a riverwide ledge with a clean boof on river left and a narrow
notch in the center with a root wad pinned in its right hand side
creating a nasty looking sieve. More of the same follows with a
few surprisingly large holes below a couple of the ledges. At low
water some fun surf waves are found and it is likely that there
would be some pretty good play at higher levels.
The Breitenbush is really pretty forgiving and only a few of the
drops are class I at lower levels. The scenery is great though and
there is plenty of interesting water to make the run entertaining.
Open stretches of river are broken up by mini gorges that
contain class III-IV rapids, some of which could contain wood.
This upper section of the river holds a few fun boulder gardens
that seem a little out of place, but make for some nice slalom style
paddling. With the exception of The Slot, the crux of the upper
section comes a short distance below a river wide ledge that was
blocked by a log as of March 2009. After the carry around this log
and a fun class III the river gets steeper and drops out f sight with
a boulder in the center of the river. River right is nasty looking and
could hide a sieve so boaters run the drop on the left. While
doing this it is important to keep to the right side of the left
channel to avoid pitoning on a largely hidden rock to the left.
From what I can remember, the river mellow considerably after this
point and becomes somewhat wider. The riverbed also changes to
some kind of conglomerate bedrock that is pretty nasty and rough
on plastic at lower levels. Eventually the run diminishes to class II
and leads underneath a bridge that carries the shuttle road. This
can be a takeout, but the lower river picks up some more volume
from a tributary and holds some of the best whitewater on the river.
After passing under the bridge a tributary enters and the volume
is noticeable bigger once the Breitenbush narrows back down.
The run definitely feels more like a river now and even at low flows
a few nice surf waves can be found through this section. Higher
water is more fun since lower flows make for a lot of rock dodging.
For about a mile the river is enjoyable class II-III that moved right
along. The first of the two difficult rapids in this lower section is
known as Barbell and its approach is obvious when the river splits
around a low island.
that seem a little out of place, but make for some nice slalom style
paddling. With the exception of The Slot, the crux of the upper
section comes a short distance below a river wide ledge that was
blocked by a log as of March 2009. After the carry around this log
and a fun class III the river gets steeper and drops out f sight with
a boulder in the center of the river. River right is nasty looking and
could hide a sieve so boaters run the drop on the left. While
doing this it is important to keep to the right side of the left
channel to avoid pitoning on a largely hidden rock to the left.
From what I can remember, the river mellow considerably after this
point and becomes somewhat wider. The riverbed also changes to
some kind of conglomerate bedrock that is pretty nasty and rough
on plastic at lower levels. Eventually the run diminishes to class II
and leads underneath a bridge that carries the shuttle road. This
can be a takeout, but the lower river picks up some more volume
from a tributary and holds some of the best whitewater on the river.
After passing under the bridge a tributary enters and the volume
is noticeable bigger once the Breitenbush narrows back down.
The run definitely feels more like a river now and even at low flows
a few nice surf waves can be found through this section. Higher
water is more fun since lower flows make for a lot of rock dodging.
For about a mile the river is enjoyable class II-III that moved right
along. The first of the two difficult rapids in this lower section is
known as Barbell and its approach is obvious when the river splits
around a low island.
In the past the lead in to Barbell has been clogged with log jams,
but as of March 2009 the entire river is clean of wood through this
section. Our group ran the left side through the fun boulder
garden, but a fun looking boof into a what must become a strong
hole at higher water is found on the right side of the island. Had we
known we were at Barbell while approaching we probably would
have headed over there to run the drop on river right.
More easier rapids follow with plenty of smaller rocks or waves
depending on the water levels. Eventually a significant horizon line
is reached. The best line seems to be right of center through this
significant rapid. The drop deserves a class IV rating and is really
just as much fun as the two more memorable drops in the lower
section of the Breitenbush. Shortly below, the river swings to the
left slights before the final horizon on the run is reached.
Foo Man Chew is nice looking rapid made by a broken riverwide
ledge that looks like it used to house some kind of a dam
structure. At low levels the line down the middle of the river left
chute is pretty straightforward, but it is likely to kick up a sticky
hole as flows increase. River right would probably also be an
option at higher levels, but the walls look slightly undercut. The
rapid is easy to scout from river left very close to the lip of the drop.
The river continues for some distance below this, but the big
rapids are done. Depending on the pool height of the reservoir
that the Breitenbush empties into the river will either run right up to
and past the take out over some shallow ledges, or pool up into
slack water. The take out is easily recognized by the steps and
wooden railings at the campground that you are taking out at. In
the winter the gate to this site is closed and locked, but it is still
possible to park by the gate. The walk to the vehicles is quite
short.
but as of March 2009 the entire river is clean of wood through this
section. Our group ran the left side through the fun boulder
garden, but a fun looking boof into a what must become a strong
hole at higher water is found on the right side of the island. Had we
known we were at Barbell while approaching we probably would
have headed over there to run the drop on river right.
More easier rapids follow with plenty of smaller rocks or waves
depending on the water levels. Eventually a significant horizon line
is reached. The best line seems to be right of center through this
significant rapid. The drop deserves a class IV rating and is really
just as much fun as the two more memorable drops in the lower
section of the Breitenbush. Shortly below, the river swings to the
left slights before the final horizon on the run is reached.
Foo Man Chew is nice looking rapid made by a broken riverwide
ledge that looks like it used to house some kind of a dam
structure. At low levels the line down the middle of the river left
chute is pretty straightforward, but it is likely to kick up a sticky
hole as flows increase. River right would probably also be an
option at higher levels, but the walls look slightly undercut. The
rapid is easy to scout from river left very close to the lip of the drop.
The river continues for some distance below this, but the big
rapids are done. Depending on the pool height of the reservoir
that the Breitenbush empties into the river will either run right up to
and past the take out over some shallow ledges, or pool up into
slack water. The take out is easily recognized by the steps and
wooden railings at the campground that you are taking out at. In
the winter the gate to this site is closed and locked, but it is still
possible to park by the gate. The walk to the vehicles is quite
short.
The Slot is one of the best stretches of whitewater on the Brietenbush River. If all of the drops were like this, the
Brietenbush would be more popular than it is today.
Brietenbush would be more popular than it is today.
A boater approaches the main move of the Slot, which can produce a sticky hole at some levels. At this lower flow
the move is pretty easy, but setting safety is easy and a good idea.
the move is pretty easy, but setting safety is easy and a good idea.
Despite the cold weather on this March run of the Brietenbush, we had a great time on this scenic run through the
foothills of the Oregon Cascades.
foothills of the Oregon Cascades.
A typical drop on the Brietenbush. There are lots of fun class III-IV rapids like this separated by stretches of
pleasant quickwater and class II.
pleasant quickwater and class II.