In Focus: Pe Ell River Run returns for 48th year

Bryan Stewart celebrates after successfully passing over Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Bryan Stewart celebrates after successfully passing over Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

Michelle Stewart passes over Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Michelle Stewart passes over Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

Roy Luets navigates through Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Roy Luets navigates through Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

A river runner loses his balance and plunges into the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

A river runner loses his balance and plunges into the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners set their kayaks upright after rolling over during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners set their kayaks upright after rolling over during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

A river runner takes videos of kayakers passing through Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

A river runner takes videos of kayakers passing through Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners chat on the Chehalis River near Rainbow Falls State Park during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners chat on the Chehalis River near Rainbow Falls State Park during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners paddle down the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners prepare to launch their boats into the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners prepare to launch their boats into the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners pose for a photo prior to launching their boats during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners pose for a photo prior to launching their boats during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

“King of the River” Jim Merrill walks toward a fire pit with fellow river runners during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

“King of the River” Jim Merrill walks toward a fire pit with fellow river runners during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners carry their kayaks to the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners carry their kayaks to the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

A river runner prepares his dual-hull canoe for the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

A river runner prepares his dual-hull canoe for the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners carry their kayaks to the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners carry their kayaks to the Chehalis River during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

Roy Luets unloads his kayak from the roof of a truck during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Roy Luets unloads his kayak from the roof of a truck during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

Michelle Steward inflates her kayak near the launch area of the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Michelle Steward inflates her kayak near the launch area of the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

River runners set their paddles on the ground as they prepare their equipment during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

River runners set their paddles on the ground as they prepare their equipment during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

Bryan Stewart unloads his kayak from the roof of a truck during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Bryan Stewart unloads his kayak from the roof of a truck during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

Otto Rabe/otto@chronline.com

Posted Monday, April 13, 2026 4:08 pm

Scenes from the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday by Chronicle photographer Otto Rabe.

As usual, the run began on the Chehalis River in Pe Ell and ended with a splash down Rainbow Falls.

According to The Chronicle’s archives, it was the 48th year of the loosely organized, unofficial event down the Chehalis River.

The informal event started in 1978, with one of its founders, Jim Merrill, still on the river at the event in recent years.

It is held on the second Saturday of April each year.

The route from Pe Ell to Rainbow Falls is roughly 8 miles by car. By boat, it can take anywhere between three hours and all day, depending on the river level.