This section of the White Salmon is named "The Farmlands" after the nearby farms that the river flows through. It is intimidating Class IV and IV+ with a 15-ish foot waterfall. Lava Falls and some of the harder rapids can be portaged making this a good run for confident Class IV+ paddlers.
Rafting one of the many fun rapids on the Farmlands section of the White Salmon River
The take-out is at the Green Truss Bridge - which is manageable for kayaks but tough for rafts. Most rafters set up a pulley system on the bridge and use their truck to pull the rafts.
Trip Highlights
Mile 0: Put-in at River Road Bridge near Trout Lake.
Mile 2.5: Alternate put-in at Warner Road Bridge.
Mile 3.2: Sidewinder (IV+) is a steep drop with an undercut on the left side. This rapid can be easily scouted and portaged.
Sidewinder Rapid
Mile 3.3: Alternate put-in below Sidewinder Rapid just above bridge. Below here the river goes into a beautiful gorge full of Class III and IV Rapids.
River Access below Sidewinder Rapid
Mile 3.95: Little Lava (IV+) is a steep drop just before Lava Falls.
Kayaking Little Lava on the Farmlands section of the White Salmon River
Mile 4.27: Lava Falls (V) is a 15 foot waterfall that can be scouted and portaged on the right side. There is a rope just up from the scout/portage ledge incase you need to climb out. It is possible to climb back into the canyon just above Triple Drop but it is very steep and requires some down climbing. Just below here the river goes through a narrow canyon that often has wood making it a bad place to swim.
Kayaking Lava Falls on the White Salmon River
Mile 4.4: Triple Drop (IV) is a well-named rapids since it's a series of three drops in a row. Below here are couple miles of Class II and III rapids known as the "Doldrums."
The first drop in Trip Drop on the Farmlands
Mile 7.2: Off Ramp (IV+) is a tricky rapid with a nasty slot on the left side you'll want to avoid. Below here the river goes through a beautiful gorge with some fun rapids.
Off Ramp Rapid at 3 feet on the White Salmon Gauge
Mile 8.0: Take-out at the Green Truss Bridge. This is a tricky scramble up the cliffs on river right.
