Sauk,

2 - Whitechuck River to Clear Creek

Sauk

Sauk
Photo of Rob Smurr by Tom O'Keefe taken 28MAY2001 @ 9000

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

The Sauk provides good continuous class III action with a couple of drops that may push class IV. The main hazards are trees which extend out from the banks, a couple large holes that can swallow inattentive paddlers, and at higher water long swims are a possibility. This is an excellent intermediate run that also provides some fun waves and play spots for more advanced paddlers.

Starting at the confluence with the Whitechuck, the river starts off through a number of class III rapids separated by short recovery pools (which become smaller as the discharge increases). There are numerous catch-them-on-the-fly surf waves.

The one rapid that is somewhat challenging to boat scout is Jaws. It comes approximately 2 miles into the trip where some large boulders create a couple holes and large waves toward river right (photo 1 , photo 2). This drop can push class IV although the route through is fairly straightforward and at higher water it's an easy sneak around the left. The drop can be scouted from an island on river right, but its a bit of a project and experienced boaters should be able to boat scout. Just downstream you'll come upon another island (you'll see the road as you approach) and the preferred river left channel takes you through Whirlpool (photo 1 , photo 2). Those looking for a little action can run the meat on river left while those looking for the conservative line can cut hard to the right. You can see Whirlpool from the road.

Below Whirpool the river calms down slightly. You will find the same good class III rapids and several great surfing waves, but rapids are just a bit less continuous.

Once you reach Clear Creek, paddle a short distance up the creek to the bridge and the takeout. Those looking for some added excitement and a peak at a beautiful gorge can paddle and scramble up the creek and around the corner to a fun III+ rapid. Those in rafts typically continue on downstream to Bachman Park or the bridge in Darrington.

Logistics

Many paddlers, especially rafts, combine this section with the next four mile section downstream which ends at the bridge in Darrington (see run description and logistics which also includes information on Bachman Park access). The more challenging rapids however end near the confluence with Clear Creek making this a convenient take-out option. To reach it, take the Mountain Loop Highway (FR 20) southeast approximately two miles out of Darrington and you will enter the Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest. Within another mile you will pass Clear Creek Campground and then reach the Clear Creek bridge (at Mountain Loop Highway mile 50.6). There is a pullout on the west side of the bridge which serves as a good take-out. To reach the put-in continue up the river. At the pull-out at milepost 47 you can scout Whirpool which will give you an idea of the level of difficulty on this run.

The put-in situation has changed since the October 2003 floods that washed out the Whitechuck Bridge (photo ) and effectively eliminated access to the former launch site on river right. The Forest Service has done a great job of coming up with a short-term solution as planning efforts continue to determine the extent of road and infrastructure repairs that will be completed in response to the floods that were responsible for more than $10 million in damage on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. To reach the improvised river access, continue up to the bridge where the Mountain Loop Highway crosses the Sauk (road mile 44.9). There is a load/unload zone along with a staging area and convenient river access on the downstrem river left side of the bridge. Although a section of about 50' of guardrail has been removed, there is no parking here. Please park on the downstream river right side of the bridge (the old approach road to the Whitechuck Bridge). From here you can walk back across the Sauk River Bridge to the put-in. Please don't park directly across the road from the access as the Forest Service has expressed concern that this could impede traffic flow on and off the Falls Creek Road. Another alternative for kayakers is to head to the upstream river right side of the bridge (Mountain Loop Highway mile 44.8) and park at the Beaver Lake trailhead. From here, carry your boat 100 yds. up the trail and scramble down to a decent eddy. This allows you to take in another class III rapid just upstream of the bridge.

For current conditions, you can call the Darrington Ranger District (360-436-1155) or check the current conditions report.

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, D.A. 1999. Washington whitewater. Mountaineers. Seattle, WA.
• Darrington Ranger District, Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest