First Descent of the Upper North Fork Tumalo

Scott Baker, Brian Lee, and I went up searching for the first descent of the Upper North Fork Tumalo. Scott Baker and I were the only ones to run this small gorged up section. This sweet little run ended up being named "Happy Valley Gorge." This gorge consisted of 5 different drops which were a 12 footer, into a 10 footer, into a 30 footer, into a 8 footer, into a 5 footer.

The 12 footer was super shallow at the top with a nice little slide feel to it. It was an ok drop that really could use a little more water to help the lead in become more fun. After the 12 footer it led directly into the 10 foot ledge. The ledge was an easy move at the top but proved hard to boof due to the low volume. After two runs Scott and I concluded that it should be run center right, which was the deepest part of the landing (Scott Hit bottom running Center Left). After the 10 footer there is about 50 feet before the 30 footer. There is a micro eddy on the left below the 10 footer backed up by a log. The 30 footer is slanting left that requires you to make a line to the right side to avoid the shallow pool at the bottom on the left. This basiclly ment a good right angle with your boat and a strong left stroke for us to run this one clean. After this you run into a little 2 foot ledge that leads into the final two drops. The 6 footer was an easy boof lip that lands on soft water and helps launch you into the 5 footer. The 5 footer was a little difficult in the fact that it ran into a wall/underwater cave. Overall it was a sweet park and huck gorge to hit up around the Central Oregon area....


Here are some shots from the day... In random order...


Scott on the entrance 12 Footer
Photo: Author

Scott on the 10 Footer
Photo: Author

Scott Scouting the 30 Footer
Photo: Author

Scott Running the 30 footer
Photo: Author

Author on the Entrance 12 Footer
Photo: Brian Lee

Author Running the 10 Footer
Photo: Brian Lee

Author Running the 30 Footer
Photo: Brian Lee


Author Running the 30 Footer
Photo: Brian Lee

Author Running 30 footer... Different run different angle...
Photo: Brian Lee

Author on the 6 footer
Photo: Brian Lee

Author on 5 Footer
Photo: Brian Lee

Scott Baker running the 30 Footer Agian
Photo: Brian Lee

Scott on the 6 Footer
Photo: Brian Lee


Scott on the last 5 foot ledge
Photo: Brian Lee