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Chiwawa - 2 - Huckleberry Campground (near Brush Creek) to Wenatchee R.
Chiwawa, Washington, US |
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2 - Huckleberry Campground (near Brush Creek) to Wenatchee R.
| Usual Difficulty | III (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 11 Miles |
Surfer's Corner
Surfer's Corner
Photo of Chris Wittenfeld by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 06/15/08
Gauge Information
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIWAWA RIVER NEAR PLAIN, WA | ||||
| usgs-12456500 | 1100 - 2000 cfs | III | 01h20m | 1440 cfs (running) |
River Description
The Chiwawa is a great intermediate run through the Wenatchee National Forest with continuous
class II and III rapids over most of its length. At intermediate flows there are plenty of great
surf spots. Wood is in play on this run and you can expect to have logs that extend into the
channel. The river is generally wide enough that you can find your way around but in some years
there have been trees across the channel that required a portage so be alert. The other issue to
be aware of is the dense riverside vegetation. At spring flows the alder trees extend into the
river and the banks are generally very brushy.
For those who want a shorter run of the best whitewater you can run just the first 6 miles and take out at the Forest Road bridge. If you have more time it's worth continuing downstream another 4.6 miles. The first couple miles of the lower section continue at the same pace as above with some great surf spots. The action then begins to taper off and you encounter a number of cabins as you approach the Chiwawa Loop Road Bridge. NOTE: The lower takeout is now blocked and there are "Private Property" signs in the parking area. The path down to the river is long and overgrown and there is a lot of wood in the river at this spot. Make sure you thoroughly scout this takeout if you use it.
Rapid Summary
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -10.8 | Surfer's Corner | III |   |
| -6.7 | Alternate Access |  | |
| -2.1 | Alternate Access | |
Rapid Descriptions
Surfer's Corner
Surfer's CornerA nice surf ledge where the river hits a big wall and heads off to the left.
Bridge Access
Bridge AccessThis alternate access can be used as a take-out if you only want to run the upper half.
Chiwawa Loop Road Access
Chiwawa Loop Road AccessThis access avoids the fish trap and the float out to the Wenatchee. Access is available on river right under the Chiwawa Loop Road bridge.
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Associated Projects
- Wenatchee/Okanogan Nat'l Forest (WA)
The Wenatchee and Okanogan National Forests are home to some great whitewater runs and AW has in interest in protecting the resource values of these rivers.
Associated News
Wenatchee River Festival 2008
June 12, 2008
TAKE ACTION: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Plan Open for Comment
September 15, 2011
2 - Huckleberry Campground (near Brush Creek) to Wenatchee R., Chiwawa Washington, US (mobile)
User Comments
that force you one way or another, but it isn't hard to get around them.
seeing it and going to the right at 1700 cfs. The run was otherwise clear. One additional note: The
old (raft) takeout on the Wenatchee is no longer usable. The road down to the river is closed and
there is wood at the takeout point.
log across the river a few miles downstream on a right hand corner that is hard to see from
upstream and is worse than the last. There is a small raft size door between a boulder and the
bushes on the river right bank to get through at 2200cfs.
able to line/drag rafts down the left bank to get around.
river but were easily avoided. No portages were required.
piled on top of it. It is several miles into the run, after a right bend. There are a few small
eddies river right just above the log.
The first few miles of this run contain many logs to be avoided. In one place, a river-left log
leaves a small chute next to a rock. It's fine to manuever in a kayak, but a raft wouldn't be able
to use this chute.
ran the Huckleberry Ford to Wenatchee River section. At approximately 1 hour 20 minutes into the
trip we came up to a new downed tree (pine needles and branches still intact) that spanned the
entire river. It's 20 - 30 river minutes before the bridge near Goose Creek campground, in the Big
Meadow Creek Gorge. It's a heavily forested area making portage for kayaks difficult, and pretty
much impossible for rafts. There isn't a good eddy for an oar boat above the tree, but there is a
log to side up to on river right about 80 feet above the tree. We had to line the cat around trees
and thick brush, a saw would have helped tremendously. Lining the cat added about 1 1/2 hours to
what should have been a 3 hour trip. The tree poses a serious hazard to boaters. I have pictures of
the tree, if anyone would like to see them contact me.