I was surprised to see that the Canyon Course is almost exactly the same length as it's sister course here, the Lakeside Course. Lakeside is listed as being just 94 feet longer. In the summer, they only take reservations for the Canyon Course at 07:00 AM. That's early, especially when you're driving almost an hour to get there. But I tell you, it was so special being the only one on this beautiful course at that hour on a perfect Washington morning. Carts are required to play the Canyon and I can see why. It backtracks on a couple of holes and has some long walkouts (drive outs?) (cart outs?) in others. Some baskets are hidden from the tees and it was nice being able to drive ahead and scout them out.

In the clubhouse, they have large framed pictures of two of Washington States premier disc golfers, Chandler Fry and Kyle Crabtree. They flank a picture of Phil Nicholsen. What, no Tiger Woods? I half expected them to be asking me for one!

The signs are small, laminated ones set in a wooden frame. They show the par, distance and basket location although I felt a couple didn't really portray the route needed. Some are attached to small poles while others are set on the ground. There are no tee pads as of yet so the tees are natural. Most are fine but a couple of the newer ones are pretty rough and rustic (8, 9 & 11). The baskets are a pretty red, Discraft, complete with extended flag on top and yellow next tee arrows. Navigation is semi-difficult. Having a cart was a life saver here.

I really liked the fact, that myself, a retired aging, recreational golfer could play and enjoy this course and not be completely over-whelmed. To me, it seemed to play shorter and more user friendly than Lakeside. Every hole was lovely but a couple really stood out for me. # 8 is a daunting throw over a rough canyon area with the basket sitting 650' away. Us wieney armed, players can opt to throw from the red golf tee pad, taking all the pressure off. # 10 has to be the toughest hole out here. It's 570' but the direct route to the basket is strewn with obstacles. The last 150' to the basket plays up a narrow and fairly steep path with treacherous rough on your left. I think it's possible to play it safer by staying on the golf fairway but it's quite a bit longer.

I think # 12 might be the prettiest hole here. It plays 350' slightly downhill with a slight anhyser needed but the tee pad area is really lovely. It's set in the trees with some low branches overhead forcing you to keep you tee off down. And finally, I really liked # 17, which at 270' is tied for being the shortest hole on this course. I actually thought it seemed shorter than 270'. Your drive here has to cross this small canyon and then hit a very small window in the trees and branches. Very pretty hole.

The cost for playing the Canyon course on a Wednesday morning in July was $25. $12.84 for the round, $5.51 for the cart and a premium charge of $4.59 for playing the Canyon course. The cost alone would keep me from playing here too often but I'm sure it keeps the Riff-Raff crowd away, as well.

The course is a work in progress which probably accounts for a couple of the roughed in tee areas.

Without a cart, navigation would be a complete disaster. With cart, it was more like playing a fun little game.

I'm almost sure that the only basket for # 9 was a yellow Mach II. Anyway, it confused me somewhat?

I've played so many disc golf courses on golf courses lately. Many of them seem to just be money grabs, IMO. Here, there are no 1000' holes with just one tree to avoid. The layout and design here was put together by knowledgeable, experienced disc golfers.

The signs are decent and I'm sure that concrete pads are coming, like on the Lakeside course. Plus, this course's beauty is amazing, second only to Brooksides DGC, set in the amazing Redwoods. And the golf here is every bit as good, if not better than Brooksides. I wish the price was maybe $5 lower but if you get the chance, no matter what your skill level is, you must experience the Canyon Course here.