Tolt, WA

Gauge Information

River Description

Logistics: The take-out is half a mile south of Carnation where Highway 203 crosses the river just before it joins the Snoqualmie. There is a park here with a road along the river. You can take out at the bridge or anywhere along this road, including paddling into the Snoqualmie and running down to the end of the first gravel bar. To reach the put-in head north towards Carnation and then turn right onto Entwhistle Street. This will turn into Tolt River Road after a bit. Follow this road to the end where you can access the river. You will need a fishing access permit to park here.

Description:

The Tolt is one of those rivers that mainly appeals to locals. It's worth doing once just to see it, but it's mainly a run for people who don't have time to run the Sky or Green and want an alternative to the forks of the Snoqualmie. Still, the Tolt is a pretty river with some nice class II rapids and an easy shuttle, but you may find a couple of logjams. There is often a wood hazard or two on this run and although you can generally find clean routes through you'll need to stay alert.

The class II gravel bar rapids start from the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Tolt. Limited access prevents most from starting their trip at the confluence (unless they are continuing down from a creek run on one of the forks).

Lat/long are approximate.