Raft the Wild, Scenic and Undisturbed Sauk River

Less than an hour from downtown Seattle, undammed waters coursing off Glacier Peak and the surrounding wilderness, merge to form a river federally protected under the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act --- the Sauk River. In the morning, you could have an Americano at the original Starbucks and stroll Pike Place Market dodging flying fish and you could still make your launch time for this ten-mile dash through Washington's verdant back country.

: White rafts waiting for their good guides. . .

Between Whitechuck River and the struggling logging community of Darrington, the Sauk cascades between boulders worn smooth and round, and a forest draped with delicate, light-green club moss and carpeted with mosses in dozens of shapes and shades of green. The white water rafting is superb with active and challenging rapids that demand a guide's attention. Even the name's grab the guide's attention: Guide Trap, Alligator Hole, Jaws and Waterslide, and more than a half-dozen others.

The Sauk River is wild, scenic and --- for the most part --- undisturbed. The odds are you will be the only party rafting the river. The Forest Service limits the number of visitors who can raft the river and tourists overlook the natural beauty of this part of Washington in favor of drier climates. However, if you live in the northern half of Puget Sound, west of the Cascades, and you are looking for the best white water adventure possible for novice paddlers - the Wild and Scenic Sauk River is the finest option available.

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