Sauk,

3 - Clear Creek to Darrington

Bachman Drop

Bachman Drop
Photo of Jennie Goldberg by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 07/05/04

Gauge Information

River Description

Season: Can be run with winter rains when the freezing level is not too low. A consistent performer through the spring snow melt and into early summer.

Description

While this section may not merit its own unique description, there is a bit of a break in the geomorphology of the river just upstream of Clear Creek. You will notice a change in the whitewater as bedrock and boulder garden rapids taper off and the alluvial gravel bar rapids begin. There are however a couple good boulder gardens between Clear Creek and Darrington. Many paddle this reach as a continuation of the Middle Sauk, or as the start to the Lower Sauk. There's still plenty here though to paddle this as a short run by itself.

At moderate flows the rapids in this section are mostly class II/III although high water can makes things challenging. Although the river banks are still forested, you will begin to see more cabins as you leave the National Forest. Once you see the cabins on river left you will enter a fun rapid. If you're planning to take-out here, keep your eyes open for Bachman Park which is a small strip of public river access between the cabins that's not entirely obvious from the river. Just downstream of this park you will enter Bachman Drop a fun class III rapid, and the most significant drop on this section.

Although you will encounter a couple more class II rapids, the rapids taper finishing with one final distinct feature where the river flows into a bedrock wall on river right. Paddle around the corner and take-out at the boat ramp on the downstream river left side of the Sauk Praire Bridge. From this point downstream the river opens up further and flows through class II gravel bar rapids (see the Lower Sauk).

Logistics

There are a few different access points along this stretch providing you with opportunities to customize your run. Many just paddle this as a continuation of the Middle Sauk especially if you're rafting.

Sauk Praire Bridge (River Mile 21.3)
On the north side of Darrington at mile Highway 530 mile 49.3 turn east on Sauk Praire Road (near the Darrington Ranger District Station). Follow this road 0.3 miles past the Hampton Lumber Mill to the bridge across the river. There is a boat ramp on the downstream river left side of the bridge. The lumber company has asked boaters not to park here along their access road. Park in the small lot on the upstream river left side of the bridge.

Bachman Park (River Mile 24.5)
This access is accessible for rafts and kayaks and can serve as either a put-in or take-out. Head south out of Darrington on the Mountain Loop Highway and just outside of town at road mile 52.1 turn north on Clear Creek Road and follow it 0.8 miles to the park. This access is accessible for rafts and kayaks and can serve as either a put-in or take-out. It's easy to miss from the river but you can recognize it by several cabins along river left in the vicinity of the park.

Clear Creek (River Mile 25.3)
This access is southeast out of Darrington on the Mountain Loop Highway and just inside the National Forest. Shortly after passing Clear Creek Campground you will reach the Clear Creek bridge at highway mile 50.6. There is a pullout on the west side of the bridge which serves as a good take-out and there is a ramp down to the creek that provides access to the river.

lat/long approximated by Tiger map server

Additional Information:

• Bennett, J. and T. Bennett. 1997. A guide to the whitewater rivers of Washington, second edition. Swiftwater Publishing. Portland, OR.
• North, Douglass A. 1999. Washington Whitewater. Mountaineers. Seattle, WA.
• Darrington Ranger District - USFS Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest website