Trip Report: North Fork Quinault River

May 17, 2025
By Dennis Pennell

This report details a recent packraft trip to the North Fork Quinault River, including observations, activities, and overall experience. A packraft is the only reasonable boat of choice for this run due to the hiking distance to the launch point.The North Fork Quinault River flows south out of Olympic National Park, joins the main stem Quinault, and then into Lake Quinault. Then it flows to the southwest through the Quinault Reservation to the Pacific Ocean. The upper section is steep, remote class 5. The section we did is somewhat less remote, class 3.

Trip Details

• Location: North Fork Quinault River, Olympic National Park

• Dates: May 17, 2025

• Participants: Logan, Alex, Dennis

Weather Conditions

The weather was generally mild with occasional light rain. Temperatures ranged from 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Observations

• The river level was 1530 CFS at the gauge, which is several miles downstream and includes the flow from the main Quinault as well as some creeks. I estimate the flow of the North Fork at Halfway House was about 900 CFS.

• The trails were mostly clear with some muddy sections and a few down trees to go over, under, or around.

• I should have taken my four piece paddle so my paddle shafts would not stick up so much out of my backpack. That would make negotiating the down trees much easier.

• I need a bigger backpack.

Activities

• Hiking 6.2 miles along the river trails.

• Packrafting nine miles from Halfway House to bridge on main Quinault

Summary

The three of us met at the North Fork Trailhead, GPS coordinates 47.57610170466593, -123.64788779999999. Logan and Alex had previously left Logan's vehicle at the take out at GPS coordinates 47.53330686838935, -123.67866412978482.

From the North Fork Trailhead, we loaded up our packrafts and day trip equipment into our backpacks, and hiked 6.2 miles upstream to our launch point at Halfway House, GPS coordinates approximately 47.62886904514341, -123.6329646525681. The scenery on the hike is outstanding, with many huge cedar and spruce trees. Most of the hike was on a decent trail with a gentle incline. There were a few places that were steeper where the trail veered away from the river to go around side creeks. The most noticeable of these was the canyon for Wild Rose Creek, which required a slightly challenging traverse of large boulders, loose cobble, and big logs spanning the creek. That’s me in the photo below, concentrating on my balance and foot placement on the log.

Shortly after crossing Wild Rose Creek (photo above) we came to Halfway House. There we had some lunch, then packed up and inflated our packrafts. I found it interesting that all three of us were paddling Alpacka Gnarwhal packrafts. I have a 2022 “Extra Long” with whitewater deck. Alex has a 2024 Extra Large self-bailer, and Logan has a smaller model with whitewater deck.

A word of advice: it takes a very large backpack to hold a large packraft, drysuit, bow bag, food, water, safety gear, helmet, PFD, and paddle(s). Since I had forgotten my backpack, I borrowed one which was an older 75L REI model. I managed with difficulty to get the packraft, helmet, throw rope, bow bag (empty), deflated seat, dry suit, and spray skirt inside the backpack. The two-piece paddle halves fit in the side pockets and extended up over my head, which was a hassle when negotiating myself under several fallen trees. The PFD was hanging on the paddle shafts. I suggest that if you are considering a backpack for packrafting, go big or stay home. I am a fairly large person at 6’2” and 205 pounds. My gear is big, my paddle is long, my boat is big. All that requires volume in a backpack. If I were to get a new pack for packrafting, I would likely get this one: Wolverine 95L - Internal Frame | SWD or this one: Big Wild 95L - Internal Frame | SWD. The extra volume would make packing and unpacking much easier, and you don’t necessarily have to fill it up if you don’t need to.

The character of the North Fork Quinault from Halfway House (elevation 780 feet) to Wolf Bar (elevation 630 feet, GPS coordinates 47.5997122316213, -123.61954731417563), was continuous, with frequent class 2+ and class 3 rapids. The river flows between huge rocks or cliffs. The entire area is a rocky, forested wonderland. The distance from Halfway House to Wolf Bar is about 2.5 miles, which means that section of the North Fork Quinault has about a 60 feet per mile gradient. The water was crystal clear with a green tint. The forest is a mix of spruce, fir, cedar, alders, willows, and a few other species. We did not see any wildlife, but saw bear scat, possibly coyote scat, elk pellets, and lots of elk tracks. This section was definitely the best part of the run.

Shortly after passing Wolf Bar, the river valley opens up, the gradient lessens, and the river starts to braid out into multiple channels. This made choosing the best channel important in order to find deep water, and also led to some wood hazards. We had to portage three times around logs, with all portages on river right.

The main Quinault comes in from the left, which seemed to have a little less water than the North Fork. The two forks join almost head-on, which made for some significant turbulence at the confluence.

The takeout we used is just below the first and only bridge we encountered, on river left. The bridge is on the short connector road that crosses the river to connect the North Shore Road to the South Shore Road. It is an easy takeout with parking for several vehicles.

It would be possible to take out either at the North Fork Campground, or at the North Fork Trailhead. But both of these options would require a carry from the river to the road, and also they are both hard to identify from the river. I recommend just floating down to the bridge noted above.