Sauk River Rafting

The stretch of the federally-designated Wild & Scenic Sauk River rafted commercially is between Whitechuck Creek and Bachman County Park. The mileage on this portion of the river is closer to 9 miles, although if you continued all the way to the confluence of the Suiattle River it might be 16 miles.

Even though the white water is predominantly Class III, I would be hesitant to describe the Sauk "ideal for families and beginners". Even the stretch from Darrington to the Suiattle confluence can be congested with logjams and sweepers.

Competent kayakers and rafters can tackle the Whitechuck to Bachman run, but they should be aware of the possibility of wood in the channel and, if possible, contact outfitters or other boaters who have been on the river after spring flooding.

The Sauk River is a four-star white water river adventure close to metropolitan Seattle and suitable for beginners if they are with a professional or experienced guide. The four companies that provide river rafting trips on the Sauk from May through early August are: Orion River Rafting http://orionexp.com, North Cascades River Expeditions, Downstream River Runners and Wild & Scenic River Tours.

in reference to: http://gorptravel.away.com/rafting-guide/washington/sauk-river.html?gclid=CMCYg6XUtKACFQQTawod_CH2Sw (view on Google Sidewiki)

Comments

River Rafting Rescue 101

Rivers are cold in the state of Washington. Gushing down the slopes of the North Cascade mountain range, westbound toward the Salish Sea and eastbound toward the Columbia, Washington rivers are the result of melting snowfields, diminishing glaciers, brisk Pacific Northwest rainfall and subterranean cold water springs. Meanwhile the Skagit River has all of those factors plus it is water spilled through turbines released from the depths of a very deep and very cold Ross Lake. For those specific reasons, it is not unusual to be wearing neoprene throughout the white water season in the grey and mossy Pacific Northwest. Even on the Skagit in August. And when the river is running high in the spring from snow melt, not only is the temperature of the water frigid (prolonged exposure to 70 degree water induces hypothermia - as I can attest to on a pleasant afternoon without a splash jacket on the Pucon River in Chile) it is moving rather fast. 'Swimmers', as we call persons over...

Jim Fielder - Washington River Rafting Pioneer

Jim Fielder was, as they say, larger than life. The former middle school teacher, beloved by many, and former white water rafting outfitter , envied by even more, lost his life recently due to poor electrical wiring and a flash fire. He lived on Queen Anne hill in a house handed down to him by his mother. The Queen Anne News reported that he was also a former screenwriter and novelist of true crime stories. I know he had published a book or two, and I know he wrote an insightful article about Mary Kay Letourneau for a women's magazine, but I don't know if I would characterize anyone who has been published as being 'former'. Once a writer, always a writer. Jim Fielder owned Zig Zag River Runners from the late 70s through the early 90s, and that is how I know him. But the last time I saw him, he was haunting a Queen Anne coffeehouse, absorbing information and scheming about subject matter you could sink your teeth into. He was long past his white wa...

Best Time for River Rafting in Leavenworth

The ideal time to river raft the Wenatchee River is between May and July. May is peak, snow-melt runoff, so the water will be cold, the air temperature in the 70s and the water level can be moderate to high. June is nice because the ambient temperature has risen considerably, while the river levels usually are still good enough to provide some exciting white water. July is typically low and slow, but the weather is reaching the high 90s, so rafting continues to be fun, but more memorable due to water-fighting and voluntary swims. Orion River Rafting provides daily, unhurried river trips out of Leavenworth, Washington. Established 1978. http://orionexp.com in reference to: "Spring mountain snowmelt creates excellent rafting conditions in the Wenatchee River." - Leavenworth, Washington - A Great Place to Visit ( view on Google Sidewiki )

River Rafting in Washington

Search This Blog