#cowlitz river

[thecorpsofrediscovery]

Summer Sunset Clear Fork Cowlitz River - August 2024 Photographer: Chris Rummel

[mountrainiernps]

Rivers connect Mount Rainier to many towns and places. Think of a few. Maybe you thought of Ashford, Enumclaw, Puyallup, Tacoma, or Seattle. How about waterways connected to Mount Rainier by rivers? A lot of folks immediately link the mountain with the Puget Sound. Did you also think of the Columbia River?

Mount Rainier has a number of rivers that flow into the Puget Sound but it also has 2 rivers that connect to the Columbia River; the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz and the Ohanapecosh Rivers. These two rivers come together outside the park forming the start of the Cowlitz River. The water you see when you stand on the bridge at Box Canyon on the Stevens Canyon Road in the summer is leaving the park heading downriver to the town of Packwood, and then through Riffe and Mayfield reservoirs. It crosses under Interstate 5 near the town of Toledo and continues south to Kelso. There, at the state boundary of Washington and Oregon, the Cowlitz River joins the mighty Columbia River. In a way, the Columbia is a volcano river. Waters from Mt St Helens, Mt Adams and Mt Hood as well as Mt Rainier, all join the Columbia River.

What is your favorite spot to enjoy the Muddy Fork or Ohanapecosh Rivers? Have you fished from the waters of the Cowlitz River near Packwood or in one of the lakes? ~ams

NPS Photo. The Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River seen from a bridge at Box Canyon. June, 2006. NPS Photo. Silver Falls on the Ohanapecosh River. October, 2019. NPS Photo. Cowlitz River at Taidnapam Park. April, 2021. NPS Photo. Riffe Lake from U.S. Route 12 overlook. April, 2021.

[theycallmepigeon]

Found this little guy in a valve channel by the fish ponds

[emphatic-nomadic]

Cowlitz River

[emrldwtranglers]

September 13, 2019  Spey Time These days we are able to employ spey casting in nearly all facets of our fly fishing endeavors but when fall arrives in the PNW, particularly here in the Seattle area, we feel its relevance even more.  With flows at low fall levels, swinging flies on the Yakima and Cowlitz for rainbow and cutthroat trout are terrific options and for those seeking slightly larger interactions, steelhead on many of the rivers around here is beginning to uptick.  Skykomish, Klickitat, Cowlitz, Hoh and Queets would all be great options to consider.  Low and clear water will demand longer leaders, possibly smaller flies and while your winter Skagit heads will work just fine with a floating tip, why not pick up and enjoy casting a Rage or Scandi head with a longer front taper.  These heads will turn over flies with delicate precision and elegance, showing off those casting skills so well. Questions on anything spey, call 206-708-7250, we are here for you!

[eopederson2]

Cowlitz River Valley, Western Edge of the Blast Zone, Mt. St. Helens area, Washington, 2005.
 Much of the land in the western sector of the blast zone is privately held, and a combination of “rescue logging” and replanting of a single species monoculture forest was in process by the 1990s.

[thecorpsofrediscovery]

Rushing Unicorn Peak over the Clear Fork Cowlitz River, Washington - April 2024 Photographer: Chris Rummel

[thecorpsofrediscovery]

Fall Reflection - Cowlitz River, Washington - Thanksgiving Day 2022