(2 miles confluence with South Fork to Little South Fork)
 The Kilchis River is a wonderful little river tucked away just north of Tillamook. Known for excellent fishing, the Kilchis also has several beginner/intermediate boating opportunities. The river is lined with beautiful old growth forests and has exceptionally beautiful clear water.
River Description(Kayak/Canoe/Raft)
From the put-in, the NF Kilchis tumbles through several small rapids. The first significant rapid, Let's Make a Deal, is about a mile below the put-in. After a steep entrance ledge, the river bends sharply to the right and is backed up by several boulders. The slots between the boulders are narrow but they all end up in a nice pool below the rapid. From here to the confluence with the South Fork there are several more fun boulder gardens. Immediately below the SF confluence the river narrows and drops over several ledges which create turbulent currents and holes at high water. Just around the corner from these drops is a steep, sliding ledge drop that has a fast entrance and a big hole at the bottom. From here the river calms down with smaller rapids spaced evenly throughout the next few miles.
About two miles from the take-out the pace picks up again with several fun larger rapids that could be close to Class 4 at high water. The biggest of these is a river-wide ledge with a fast lead-in. You can see this ledge from the road on the shuttle and pick your line before you get there. Below this are two more big rapids before the river calms down for good all the way to the take-out. The scenery in the last two miles is wonderful.
Hazards
The section around the SF confluence is pushy at high water. Be sure to scout from the road on your way to the put-in. Let's Make a Deal could have dangerous wood in any of the exit slots. Scout left.
How to get there
Take-out
From Tillamook:
Take Hwy. 101 north to Kilchis River Road; about 2.4 miles north of downtown Tillamook. Turn right on Kilchis River Road and turn right again after 1 mile. Turn right again after 1.25 miles and cross the Kilchis River. Stay left at all intersections and continue until the road crosses the Little South Fork. The Little South Fork take-out is about 2.75 miles from the bridge.
Alternate Take-out:
There are many trails down to the river in the 2 miles above the Little South Fork. Boaters can also continue downstream and take-out at a park on river right or continue the 3 miles down to the bridge near the main road.
Put-in
To reach the put-in continue upriver about 6.7 miles to the confluence with the South Fork Kilchis. you can put-in here down the steep bank or continue another 2 miles and put-in at the next bridge.
Alternate Put-In:
The road continues upriver for several miles with several other alternative put-ins. I haven't done the river above the first bridge.
Gauge
There is currently no gauge on the Kilchis but river level can be reasonably estimated from either the Wilson River or Trask River. Generally boaters will want at least 2500cfs on the Trask River gauge or 3000cfs on the Wilson River gauge. Boaters should be aware that the Kilchis River drainage is half the size of both of these rivers so it will rise and fall faster.
More Info
Check out one of my trip reports of this run.
Photo Gallery
Printer Friendly Description
NF Kilchis Word document
Paddler Comments
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