Skykomish, N. Fork,
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1. Jackson Wilderness to Bear Creek
Class II-V
10 Miles
Avg Gradient 125 fpm
Max Gradient 450 fpm
Upper North Fork Skykomish
Upper North Fork SkykomishPhoto of view from FR 6300 mile 18.5 taken 29SEP01
Gauge Information
River Description
ACCESS: From Highway 2 mile 35.6 turn north up the North Fork Road (becomes FR 63) at the Mt.
Index Cafe. You'll pass a turn-off for Forest Road 6330 at mile 9.1 that crosses the river (staff
gauge on river left side of bridge center pillar). Continue on FR 63, 0.5 miles past the
Troublesome Creek Bridge to mile 11.7 which marks the access point at Drumbeater where the lower
run starts. From this point continue up to mile 12.3 and a pullout with a short trail down to
Bear Creek Falls. Here the river carves through an impressive bedrock slot with several ledges
over a span of approximately 100 yards. Continue on to mile 14.8 and the junction of FR 63 and
65. To stay along the North Fork turn up the hill to the left to stay on FR 63. At mile 16.8 FR
63 ends and you'll want to follow FR 6300. At mile 18.5 you'll come to a decent overlook that
provides you with a view of the river, and at mile 19.2 you will be at the end of the maintained
road and several trailheads for the wilderness areas in the basin. Check road conditions with
Mt. Baker - Snoqulamie National Forest; follow link to
the forest road conditions report under the recreation link.
DESCRIPTION: The Upper North Fork is less frequently boated than the more popular North Fork run
downstream. It is characterized by some big drops and imposing boulder gardens interspersed with
several class II sections.
The river continues downstream on the more popular North Fork Skykomish run.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2004-07-09 16:36:57
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
at Index falls below ~700 cfs, due to piton rocks and potholes. Between Goblin Creek and Bear Creek
Falls, the river is mostly Class II - III. Between Quartz Creek and Goblin Creek, the river drops
down a spectacular gorge in almost constant Class V-VI whitewater, culminating in 90 foot Deer
Falls (which can be seen by bushwhacking to the gorge rim at mile marker 18 on FR 63). Below the
falls, the gorge extends for another 500 feet, with a few smaller ledges throughout, then ends just
upstream from the mouth of Goblin Creek, where the river flows into the wider valley below.