Skykomish, WA

Sunset Put-in

Sunset Put-in
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe ©

Gauge Information

River Description

EVENTS: SkyFest has been held in year's past, but there are no current plans to hold the festival in 2003.

SEASON: The Sky can be run just about 12 months of the year. You may be grinding your way down on the coldest winter days or after several days with no rain in the summer, but you are just about always guranteed to have a good time.

FUN FACT: The place to meet other Seattle-area boaters (paddle and be home for dinner).

PUT-IN: For kayakers the best put-in is at the base of Sunset Falls on the South Fork of the Skykomish (elevation 500'). Access to the traditional put-in is 1 mile east of the Mt. Index Cafe off Highway 2 (mile 36.5). At this point there is a pullout on the south side of the highway and a road that leads down towards the river (marked with a "road closed" sign). Follow the road down to a parking area just before a bridge over a small creek. Hike your boat down the hill under the railroad tracks to the base of Sunset Falls. (NOTE: CURRENTLY ACCESS TO THIS PUT-IN IS CLOSED -- do not use it at this time. American Whitewater and several regional paddling groups are in the middle of negotiations to regain access to this put-in. Attempts at stealth put-ins and further conflicts with the land owners could prevent us from regaining access to this site. Use the Powerline or Index put-in until the situation is resolved, sign the petition at nwkayaking.com, stay informed, and make sure you've paid your American Whitewater dues) Currently, the best alternative access point is on Forest Service land (see Forest Service map) on river left above Powerline Rapid (1.9 river miles downstream from Sunset Falls). At Hwy 2 mile 35.1 (just west of bridge across the Skykomish) take FR 6020 0.4 miles to a parking area near a big powerline tower. A trail a short distance beyond the parking area leads down to the river at a point just upstream of Powerline Rapid. Don't attempt to use private land (clearly marked) near the base of Sunset Falls on river left. Additional access points include Forest Service land at the Hwy 2 bridge at mile 35.1 (river left), and on the North Fork at either the railroad bridge in the town of Index (river left) or Forest Service land (Llama Ledges) less than a mile south of Index (river right).

TAKEOUT: The railroad bridge over the Skykomish at Highway 2 mile 32.5 (elevation 295'). There is a parking area on the north side of Highway 2 with enough space for a half dozen cars (more if you get creative). There have been occasional problems with breakins to shuttle vehicles. Some pull off the road a few hundred yards upstream where the road is closer to the river (Highway 2 mile 32.9). Others, including rafters, takeout at the fishing access downstream (Highway 2 mile 30.4).

SHUTTLE: The shuttle is straightforward. From the railroad bridge takeout follow highway 2 east up the hill, across the river, past the Mt. Index Cafe, past the coffee stand, and then turn off down the hill to the put-in.

Known simply as "The Sky", the Sunset run on the Skykomish is where experienced boaters can go for their weekly whitewater fix and still be home by dinner. Only an hour from Seattle, the run offers excellent whitewater throughout the year and plenty of fun play spots. Kayakers typically start at the base of the dramatic Sunset Falls with a seal launch from the rocks. The first rapid on the river is a short series of ledges ending with one of the favorite surfing waves on the run. Pull out on river right to line up for First Wave.

The next rapid is a straightforward boulder garden ending with a sometimes meaty hole just to the left of center. You can hop in for a wild ride, but at most levels it's not for the timid. The river passes through another boulder garden before reaching Powerline.

Powerlines overhead and a horizon line mark the entrance to Powerline Rapid (otherwise known as Cable Drop). Good lines can be found down river left or river right. At most levels you can find some good surfing in this rapid and this has been the site of the SkyFest freestyle through a rapid competition. Continuing down on river left you pass through a boulder garden with a nice ender spot at some levels, and then on under the highway 2 bridge to the confluence with the North Fork of the Skykomish.

The river winds through another couple rapids before turning back towards the road near the outlet of Anderson Creek. Here on river left one can find Anderson Hole for some fun surfing. Boulder Drop lurks just downstream (within site of Anderson Hole) and is easily recognized by the large mid-channel boulders.

Those just getting their feet wet with class III should portage Boulder Drop (the easiest portage route is on river left along the should of the road). Although it may look deceptively easy at lower water levels the series of moves required to negotiate the rapid is not trivial. This rapid is identified in the American Whitewater safety code as a IV+ standard at 5,000 cfs. Those who have solid class III experience and are ready to start class IV normally start running Boulder Drop at levels of around 2000 cfs or less after a careful scout from river right and with back-up from expeienced paddlers. There are two basic routes used to run Boulder Drop. Both start by entering the rapid on river right through one of a couple possible chutes and then eddying out at the first big eddy on river right. Paddlers are then faced with the Picket Fence, a series of boulders that are lined up across the width of the river. The major routes through the Picket Fence are Airplane Turn or Ned's Needle. The Airplane Turn requires a hard ferry to river left, while Ned's Needle requires a precise line up for the narrow slot (video clip). The reversal at the base of Ned's Needle can create problems if you don't clear the base of the drop with a good boof and at lower levels the Dragon's Back appears on the left side of the chute leading away from the Needle. At higher levels a third option becomes available in the form of a sneak route on river right. The final section of the rapid includes a series of large waves and holes run just left of the ominous House Rock. There is a good eddy line for squirt moves in the pool below Boulder Drop. The whole rapid can be viewed from the road between milemarker 34 and the Anderson Creek bridge.

After passing through a couple more rapids you come to Lunch Hole. The main current heads towards a rock wall along the left bank. Lunch Hole sits along the left bank and has been known to grab unsuspecting paddlers. It can be easily avoided on the right or for those wanting a more intimate look you can catch the small eddy on river left above it and ride the narrow tongue alongside it.

The next fun spot on the river is Last Wave at Split Rock. Kayakers line up in the large eddy behind a big boulder on river left to take turns surfing this beautiful wave. Some take out along the road near Split Rock while others continue on downstream around the corner to the railroad bridge takeout on river left. The Big Eddy run begins at the railroad bridge.