Peshastin Creek, |
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| Usual Difficulty | III-IV (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Avg. Gradient | 150 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 200 fpm |
FUN FACT: An alternative put-in for the Wenatchee
SEASON: Late spring (as soon as the snow melt kicks into gear) through early summer (as long as the snowmelt lasts).
LOGISTICS: To reach the put-in take Hwy. 97 7.5 miles up the hill from the junction with Hwy. 2 near the town of Peshastin. More challening rapids can be found by going another 0.6 miles upstream. To reach the take-out turn off from Highway 2 just south of the Highway 2 bridge across Peshastin Creek and follow the road back to an unimproved parking area next to the dam. Boaters can also combine the big water of the Wenatchee with a creek boating entry by boating Peshastin Creek down to the Wenatchee. To continue on the Wenatchee see the description of the run from Peshastin to Cashmere. You can also kick start this trip with a run down Ingalls creek. There are a few more access spots along the highway for those wanting an easier run or to run laps on the upper section. (Most of the more difficult rapids are in the first few miles and the run eases off downstream, but is continuous in gradient the whole way)
SHUTTLE: Highway 97 parallels the river and gives you a good look at the character of this run during the shuttle.
DESCRIPTION:
Nearly continuous class III rapids with a more difficult class IV rapid known as Fresh Squeezed. You can scout Fresh Squeezed from the road. It's about 0.8 north of the village of Ingall's Creek where a grassy knoll separates the creek from the highway. Those not wanting to tackle Fresh Squeezed can find a trail here to put-in just below.
for additional information see
Look for flows of 500-750 cfs. This creek runs about 10% of the Wenatchee at Peshastin (also available through the NOAA hotline 206-526-8530). The Department of Ecology also recently established a realtime gauge for this creek. Currently, the DOE gage only shows feet, not cfs. The creek is running at 2 to 3 feet and 2.5 feet is a good medium level. It can be run higher too, but with the steep consistent gradient, it is very fast and continuous.
User Comments
run. Most of the really active whitewater is hidden from view. Note that around halfway into the
run there is a diversion dam (approximately 5' tall). You will see a gate on the right and a house
on the left. My group had no problem running this one down the middle.