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Wenatchee - 1. Lake Wenatchee State Park to Tumwater Campground
Wenatchee, Washington, US |
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1. Lake Wenatchee State Park to Tumwater Campground
| Usual Difficulty | II (for normal flows) |
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| Length | 16.5 Miles |
Gauge Information
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WENATCHEE RIVER AT PLAIN, WA | ||||
| usgs-12457000 | 400 - 15000 cfs | II | 00h33m | 5200 cfs (running) |
Flow range for best boatability uncertain. Please help your fellow boaters with a comment or report. |
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River Description
Starting at Lake Wenatchee, most of the river is class I but you will encounter a few class II rapids in the rock gardens upstream of the bridge in Plain, an intermediate access point. A little ways downstream of Plain and after you pass the railroad bridge, you leave the vacation cabins behind and the river flows through a more remote setting as you encounter some sandstone ledges and high cliffs. The Highway 2 bridge marks the start of Tumwater Canyon and the end of this run. The river is high in the spring but can be enjoyed throughout the summer and into fall when the vine maples make for a beautiful fall colors trip.
Logistics:
Access is available at Braeburn Road near the Lake Wenatchee outlet where the river starts. A road parallel to the Lake Wenatchee Highway goes between Braeburn Road and the river, just downstream of the first bridge across the Wenatchee River. Be sure not to block access of the Braeburn Rd. residents.
Intermediate access is Plain is available at the Highway 209 bridge right-of-way. There is room for about four vehicles on the upstream river right side of the bridge and an informal trail to carry boats down to the river.
The take-out access is at the Highway 2 bridge across the Wenatchee River.
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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
1. Lake Wenatchee State Park to Tumwater Campground, Wenatchee Washington, US (mobile)
User Comments
sure to have your Discover Pass and pay the launch fee if you use the boat launch area. It is a
good fall colors trip if you don't mind low water. Taking two days to go from lake to Tumwater
Campground is a good idea if not doing it in the spring.
contracted to manage the USFS campground. Our question was where to take out since the WA DOT
construction has the usual take out blocked. She said folks can park in the picnic area of the
campground (to the right as you enter) and take out on river left before the bridge. Landing there
looked very feasible, but entering the short gravel road by vehicle, down to the take out, looked
hazardous from the west side, due to the sharp turn required on the narrow, curving Tumwater Canyon
highway. You might want to drive toward Leavenworth until you reach a place where you can turn
around and then approach it from that direction. There was a porta potty between the highway and
the take out when we were there.