WHITEWATER
You’ve seen the videos- it’s better in real life. Big waterfalls. Steep rapids. Tight canyons. Turquoise water. Welcome to kayaking nirvana.
INTERMEDIATE TRIPS
Ready to stop “surviving” rapids and start styling them? Our Intermediate Trip is designed specifically for Class III/IV paddlers who are ready to bridge the gap to Class IV with confidence and technical precision. This isn’t just a guided trip; it’s a high-performance coaching clinic set in North America’s best whitewater laboratory. You’ll move beyond the basics to master advanced boat control, carving aggressive eddy turns, and the art of the perfect boof. We focus on helping you identify subtle river features to use the water’s momentum rather than fighting it. You’ll walk away with Class IV confidence and the tactical skills needed to dissect and run complex rapids. If you’re tired of following the leader and want the autonomy to choose your own lines, this is your turning point.
What You’ll Gain:
Technical Mastery: Precision strokes, edge control, and momentum management. River IQ: Deep-dive hydrology sessions to help you “read” and anticipate Class IV features. Safety & Leadership: Group signaling, advanced self-rescue, and river scouting tactics. The “Boof” Clinic: Dedicated time to mastering the most essential move in modern kayaking.
What Rivers You’ll Run:
Depending on your group’s skills and river levels, you’ll have the opportunity to paddle multiple sections of the White Salmon River and Hood River, the waterfalls of the East Fork of the Lewis River, the North Fork of the Washougal and more.
EXPERT TRIPS
Our Expert trips are designed for Class IV/V kayakers who want to live out the dream they’ve seen in all the videos. We’ll start the trip with an easy-ish run to get acquainted with each other and assess skills, and then we’ll move on to what you came for. This is your trip, and we’re here to help you accomplish your goals. This trip is less about instruction and more about showing you the lines and helping you get as many laps as you can handle. We’ll take care of the beta and logistics, you just get your gnarly on.
What You’ll Gain:
Are you kidding me? This will likely be the best kayaking trip of your life.
What Rivers You’ll Run:
GNAR is based 10-15 minutes from the Green Truss and Farmlands sections of the White Salmon, 20 minutes from the Little White Salmon, and 35 minutes from the Upper Wind. Canyon Creek and the East Fork of the Lewis are within striking distance. There are more than a dozen runs available within an hour of GNAR that ensures that no matter what flows are doing, you’re going to get to paddle epic PNW whitewater without spending half the day in the car.
whitewater Packages
INTERMEDIATE AND EXPERT TRIPS INCLUDE
- 7 kayaking days, Saturday-Friday
- Airport pickup and drop off at PDX International Airport1
- 7 nights lodging2
- River guide
- Transportation3
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner4
- Two spa sessions5
- Unlimited side quests - see and do as much as you can stand
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
- Kayak rental. $35/day. We have a fleet of modern kayaks in all sizes for you to choose from. Avoid airport headaches and save money!
- Paddle rental. $10/day. We have a large assortment of straight and bent shaft paddles from Werner in all common sizes and offsets.
- Private Lodging. $400/week/person or couple. We have two separate units each with a kitchen, bathroom and queen bed.
A DAY AT GNARLY NATE'S
RISE AND GNAR
We’ll start the day doing what kayakers do- checking levels and discussing options while cramming in caffeine and some delicious calories. Most groups want to have the option for at least two laps each day, and we’re happy to facilitate an early start to make sure that happens. Most days we’ll pack ourselves lunch before heading out for the day.
GNAR ALL DAY
As long as it’s safe, we’ll take you where you want to go, and we’ll do as many laps as you want. At each put in, we’ll discuss safety and warm up. On the river, we’re happy to provide as much or as little instruction as you want, but we will always be giving you beta. There will be some mandatory scouting on our first time through some of these canyons, but we can usually just rally on our next laps if you’re comfortable. We’ll stop for lunch mid-day, evaluate options, and everyone can make their own decision about what comes next for them. This is a low-pressure, high-stoke environment.
POST GNAR
Your trip is all-inclusive, and we will dine together at a local restaurant of the group’s choice each night. Your package also includes two spa visits, with hot tubs and saunas, for some intermittent recovery throughout your trip. After dinner, we’ll return to the Retreat, where you can have some beers and talk about that line you beatered, watch some kayak videos, play games, try out the mountain bike jump track, or pass out.
LITTLE WHITE POLICIES
The Little White Salmon River is sacred amongst the Gorge kayaking community. Nate has lived in White Salmon since 2016, values the kayaking community in the Gorge, and GNAR has an obligation to operate in such a way that it does not jeopardize access to the Little White for everyone. While many of our guests may come here specifically to paddle the Little White, and many will be capable of that even at high flows, we choose to operate with deference to safety and respect for the local paddling community. This MIGHT mean that GNAR does not guide you down the Little White during your trip.
GNAR strictly adheres to the following policies regarding the Little White:
- 1. No one will paddle the Little White on the first day of their trip. All trips begin with a more moderate run that gives GNAR the ability to assess your skill level, fitness level, and judgement. If we tell you that it's not appropriate to take you down the Little White, please don't take it as an insult. It's not.
- 2. The maximum river level for Little White laps to be led is 3.5'. The river is often above this level in March. The good news is that when the Little White is above this level, many other nearby rivers are running.
- 3. The minimum river level for Little White laps to be led is 2.7'. The river is often below this level by June. Not only is the river way less enjoyable below 2.7', but the level of boat abuse goes way up.
- 4. The maximum group size for Little White laps is three plus the guide. This might mean that a larger group gets broken into two groups that run the river separately and/or at different times.
RIVER GAUGES
The gauges and flow notes below represent rivers you will likely have the option to paddle during your trip. It is not an exhaustive list- consider this a sample of the goods:
The gauge referenced by paddlers IS NOT an online gauge. A gauge has come online recently, and we have begun to develop a correlation to the old stick gauge. See above for notes on flows.
PADDLER’S GAUGE = 3.03 x (ONLINE GAUGE) – 2.09
In the Spring, the Farmlands is in above about 3.0′, the Truss is in above about 2.0′. Flows above 4.0′ on the Farmlands and 3.5′ on the Truss up the challenge significantly – Class 5 skills required.
5.0′-5.5′ is low. Many people would tell you it ratchets up a notch somewhere between 6.5′-7.0′. Above 7.0′ we can likely run Lower Trout Creek into the Wind, which makes for a world-class day.
The West Fork is best from about 5.2′-7.0′
Below ~600 cfs is low. Many people would say ~1000 cfs it gets harder, but the lines stay the same. Above 1700 it’s a different river.
Below ~1200 cfs is low. Many people would say ~1800 cfs it
gets harder, but the lines stay the same. Above 2500 it’s a
different river.
Below ~3000 cfs is low. 3500-5500 is optimal. There’s a solid
chance Hagen Creek is in above 4000.
WEATHER IN THE GORGE
The are four distinct seasons at the Retreat. March is highly variable- it can feel like winter and be very wet, and you can also get some very pleasant days in the high 50’s and 60’s. In general, there are more paddling options in March than any other month we offer trips, and the rivers will be higher. Come prepared and it’s no problem.
April and May are magical. Everything is green, the weather is perfect, the rivers are in, and the days are long. It can still rain quite a bit, and nights are chilly. By June, the weather is awesome, but the paddling options are limited. In June, you will likely be paddling on the White Salmon, or maybe the Little White, every day since these runs are fed by abundant snowmelt from Mt. Adams.