Sauk, N. Fork
Above North Fork Falls
| Difficulty | IV+ |
| Length | 1.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 187 fpm |
| Gauge | Sauk River Ab White Chuck River Nr Darrington, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 52 minutes | 2970 cfsabove recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 19, 2019 |
River Description
This short run just outside of Darrington is one of the true gems of the Skagit River system
serving up a mile and a half of continuous boulder garden rapids. On a clear late spring or early
summer day, the scenery is beautiful and the river is absolutely stunning set against the backdrop of
impressive peaks as you look back upstream into the Glacier Peak Wilderness.
You can do one quick run--a good option if you're enjoying other activities in the
National Forest or just want to crank it up a notch after a run on the main Sauk--but more typically
folks arrive planning to run a couple laps. The run can be described as technical class IV+ with a couple
of sections that push class V and that's especially the case as flows increase. Scout carefully for log
hazards and be prepared for several depending on what the previous season's storms have flushed into
the river channel. You will likely be able to maneuver around most of them if you know where they are,
but be prepared for a portage or two. The run contains more pin hazards than many of the other class
IV+ runs in the Cascades and this is therefore not a place to bring the playboat. The other issue is the
continuous nature of the run which could quickly turn rescue situations epic if you had to chase down
gear.
From the put-in beach it's an easy launch into the pool below a big boulder garden rapid
that can be run if you want to hike your boat through the woods upstream of the beach access. From
the put-in pool slice your way through the next boulder garden downstream and grab an eddy on river
left above Where's Scott Drop. This rapid offers a couple alternatives and the option you choose will
likely depend on flows: you can take the left slot and head back towards the center for a nice boof
move, ride a strong jet down the center, or take the third option down river right that sends you up
against a large boulde
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe Forest Service opens the North Fork Sauk (Forest Service road 49) July 20 restoring access to the Glacier Peak and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Areas along with the Pacific Crest Trail from the Darrington Ranger District. There are only two major access points into the wilderness, the North Fork Sauk and Suiattle River Roads. “I’m excited this road is open,” said Peter Forbes, Darrington District Ranger. “We have been working hard to open access back into the wilderness,” he said. The Suiattle River road remains closed at mile 12 until repairs can be made.
Be sure to scout out the take-out above North Fork Falls.
As of December 18, 2004 there are no log portages on this run. There are a few logs here and there but nothing that spans the channel.
This is the last 3/4 of the left side of the
island rapid.
Halfway through the run a long class IV+
rapid appears, the river drops continuously
for about a 1/3 mile, this picture is just below
the start of it.
Grab the eddy on river left upstream
of this drop and then pick one of the
slots depending on levels and your
preference.
As of 27JUN2004 this run was fairly clean. We had one wood portage where there were a couple trees that had fallen in from the left at one of the bigger boulder gardens (the one with the massive log jam on river right). There was additional wood here and there that could largely be avoided if you took the correct channel.