Cowlitz Falls LbNA #1155 (ARCHIVED)

COWLITZ FALLS


Nearest Town: Morton, Washington
County: Lewis
Placed: 9-17-02
Placed By: Fudrick
Clues: Trivial
Trek: Easy
Blackberries: delicious, in season

Cowlitz Falls is no more.

But received a report the box was still there on 3/23/5!???

Historically known as the Cowlitz Falls run and enjoyed as one of the best bigwater runs in the state, this section is now buried beneath the waters of Scanwea Reservoir. Construction of the Cowlitz Falls project was completed in 1994 resulting in a 610 acre reservoir. In the first edition of his guidebook published in 1991, Bennett described Cowlitz Falls as follows, "The Falls begins with an exciting ride over big rollercoaster waves, then through smaller waves before hurling baoters around a left bend and into more powerful hydraulics...at higher flows, the big waves that dominate Cowlitz Falls become minature versions of rapids like Granite on Hell's Canyon of the Lower Snake. This drop was dynamited and a 140 foot high dam now stands in its place

Cowlitz Falls Parks

The PUD has constructed a campground and day-use park for the public at locations along the project reservoir

Day-Use Park

The park is situated along Lake Scanewa which was formed by the Cowlitz Falls Dam. This is a nine acre park designed for "day use" at a site where a unique wooden arch logging bridge previously spanned the river. The Champion 200 Road that led you to the bridge now gives access to the lake where it narrows and becomes confined within the previous river banks. Picnic tables are found at various locations. A boat ramp with a dock is available, as well as a small swimming area for children. No overnight camping is allowed. The gate is open from dawn to dusk. Use of the Park is free to the public.

Leonard "Bud" Allen Campground

The Campground offers a quiet natural environment. A good place to stay while visiting Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier, or to relax and do a little fishing. The Campground covers 110 acres and provides over 100 campsites, 40 with water and electric hookups. A picnic area with tables and barbecue units is available. There are nature trails for your walking and biking enjoyment as well as a play set for the kids. A boat launch gives boaters access to the lake. Rainbow trout are planted regularly throughout the summer.

To The Trailhead:
The easiest way to get there is to follow the signs. As you drive along US 12 you will see a brown sign at milepost 111 that will lead you to the site. Turn south onto Savio Road. Turn right on Kiona Road at the brown sign. Turn Right on Falls Road at the brown sign to the Day Use Park; note the smaller blue signs. Turn left on 280 road at the blue signs. Follow the curve to the left to get on 200 Road, which takes you right to the Day Use Park. Park in the lot, out of the way of the boat launch.

To The Letterbox:
From the parking lot, head upstream (to the left). Go up the paved path with the post in the middle. You will get to the swimming area (denoted by the SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK sign). Notice that straight ahead is a picnic table on a quay in the middle of the river. However, you should go to the left around the shore of the `swimming' pond. If you are here during blackberry season, enjoy your fill of delicious blackberries. At the end of the shore of the pond, you can go to the right to the antenna you noticed (UFO homing beacon???). But don't. Go to the left along the path upriver. You will have several opportunities to take short paths to the river's edge, if you do, don't fall in. You will come to a fork in the path, the one to the left is a blackberry-free shortcut back to the parking lot. Stay to the right. You will come upon a stump on the right with no middle, and indications of a past fire. Possibly a place for your letterbox? Go another 6-1/2 paces (13 steps) to another stump on the right. This one still has its middle, but there is a place for a letterbox to hide inside.

Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer





Before and After

www.geocities.com/fudrickus/cowlitz.html