If you are a comfortable read-and-run class IV+ technical boater, the Upper Wind is probably the perfect run for you. The entire run drops at a rate of about 80 feet per mile for roughly 6.5 miles. You should inquire locally about flows on the Wind. A great local resource for this river are the folks at PNWwhitewater.org. They seem to run the Wind every day it is running and having nothing but great things to say about the run.

When flows are "low," bring a small boat with you, particularly if you plan on rowing. Many of the moves can be considered tough class IV with the occasional IV+ drop. At higher flows, be prepared for extremely fast water, very few (if any) eddies, huge hydrolics, and a real IV+/V run.

The margin for error on the Wind at moderate to high flows is small and the consequences are extreme: long swims a steep and somewhat remote canyon (very difficult to hike out of) make the Wind a true expert run.

The first real rapid of the run, Initiation (IV) is incredibly long and technical. Shortly after Initiation is Ramshorn (IV+), which features a steep drop with a big hole on the right and left. At mile 2.7, the pinnacle rapid of the run is Climax (IV+/V), which at certain flows features a big sticky hole. Make sure the boat in front of you has cleared the drop here before you are committed. From Climax down, the river drops at 65 feet per mile and is mainly class III with the occasional IV. There are a few rapids with consequence, but for the most part they are easily scouted from your boat and offer much more recovery than the rapids upstream.

To reach the take-out for the Wind: turn left on High Bridge Road off of the Wind River Highway. Make a right on the Old Detour Road and follow that down to the river. To get to the put-in, take the Wind River Highway and drive 5.5 miles to Stabler, turn left on Hemlock Road, and then your first right after passing over the bridge. Follow this road to the river.