Skykomish, N. Fork, WA

North Fork Skykomish

North Fork Skykomish
Photo of Russ Reed by Thomas O'Keefe ©

Gauge Information

River Description

SEASON: November rains and spring snowmelt

FUN FACT: One of the most diverse afternoon river trips starting with a short technical canyon and ending with a broader river with some power.

ACCESS: From Highway 2 mile 35.6 turn north up the North Fork Road (becomes FR 63) at the Mt. Index Cafe. For a longer run one potential access point for a take-out is at the Index Bridge 1 mile up the road (upstream river right). There is another public parcel at mile 2.4 that is owned by State Parks and may one day be developed into a day use site (at levels above 4000 cfs at Goldbar this is a decent put-in for a run continuing on down to the Railroad Bridge on the main Sky). To reach the more commonly used takeout continue to mile 6.1 and a takeout at the Trout Creek Bridge (elevation 840'). An alternative take-out is available at a pull-out upstream at mile 6.9. You'll pass a turn-off for Forest Road 6330 at mile 9.1 that crosses the river. If you want to scout El Nino, it is a couple hundred yards upstream of this turn-off. Continue on FR 63. You'll find a lower put-in near mile 10.9 where the river closely parallels the road (if you're putting in here you'll probably want to launch downstream of Rooster Tail). Continue on FR 63, 0.5 miles past the Troublesome Creek Bridge to mile 11.7 and the put-in to the upper canyon section at Drumbeater (elevation 1335'). You'll be able to see the canyon through the trees past this bridge and there is a short trail once you get to a point where the river starts to become less visible. There is shoulder space for a couple cars. Check road conditions with Mt. Baker - Snoqulamie National Forest; follow link to the forest road conditions report under the recreation link. Note that in the December 2006 storm the road washed out in several places and for the foreseeable future the only access up around the Beckler, but even with this route you're a ways upstream of the put-in before you reach a locked gate.

DESCRIPTION: The North Fork offers a diverse range of paddling experiences over a relatively short reach of river. The run starts with a IV+ canyon. The typical put-in is at the pool below Drumbeater. The last pitch of Drumbeater is fairly straightforward, but don't make the mistake of putting in too high. A terminal hydraulic near the middle of the rapid has been the start of a very bad day for paddlers fool hardy enough to attempt it.

The crux rapid, Let's Make a Deal, comes near the end of the canyon. Paddlers have a choice of several slots between a series of boulders lined up across the channel. It is common to see wood blocking at least one of the slots so it's wise to scout or get a wood report. The far left slot is often the easiest to boat scout. After Let's Make a Deal the river opens up and you pass through a boulder garden with the road to your right.

As you parallel the road, the next horizon line marks Rooster Tail. Rooster Tail is typically run far right. It can be a little messy depending on water level. Pull out along the road (where the bank has been armored with rocks to protect the road) and continue along the trail through the woods to scout or portage the rapid. Paddlers that make it over the first pitch come through shining, but those who have trouble at the top compound their troubles as they continue through the rapid.

After Rooster Tail the river calms down a notch to class IV and the rest of the run can be boat scouted. The main hazards are occasional trees and a few rapids that contain some significant holes.

The next major rapid is El Nino which starts shortly after the confluence with Silver Creek which enters from river right. El Nino can be easily scouted from the road and the typical route hugs river left along the road. There is a great surfing wave at the bottom of El Nino on river right.

After El Nino, the river picks up a notch in power although the rapids don't get any more difficult. There are three rapids with some big but mostly friendly holes called the Minefield. Potential takeouts begin to appear on river left and most use the access at Trout Creek.

Boaters who want to make a longer day or those who want to put-in here for a less challenging class III run can continue from Trout Creek down to Index or even on to the South Fork confluence for another six miles of whitewater (use caution as there have been log jams in this section requiring a portage). On this stretch, the Index Bridge is one potential access point that is also a put-in for those running the main stem of the Skykomish. Below the bridge, the river continues for another mile and a half with more good class II and III rapids, including Llama Ledges, before joining with the South Fork Skykomish.

for additional information see:

• Bennett, J. and T. Bennett. 1997. A guide to the whitewater rivers of Washington, second edition. Swiftwater Publishing. Portland, OR.
• Skykomish Ranger District - USFS Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest website