Snoqualmie, N. Fork
2. Big Creek to Spur 10 Bridge (Upper)
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 40 fpm |
| Gauge | Nf Snoqualmie River Near Snoqualmie Falls, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 26 minutes | 570 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 2, 2021 |
River Description
Note: As of 2012, you must buy a permit to access the put-in and take-out, even on foot. The walk-in permit is $75. The drive-in permit is $225, but you can not take anyone else in your vehicle unless they are a member of your immediate family (husband, wife, and children under 18).
This was a fun class III run that was once very popular when you could drive down to the take-out. The river has also hosted the North Fork Slalom Race and racer training clinics. Restrictions to access have made this a less popular run which is unfortunate because it is one of the best beginner-intermediate runs less than an hour from downtown Seattle. The run provides a bit more excitement and a longer trip than the Club Stretch or Powerhouse runs, but is slightly easier than the Middle-Middle. As such, it is the perfect stepping stone for those looking for a new challenge after successfully navigating the area beginner runs.
The character of the run is nearly continuous boulder garden rapids with a couple of short bedrock canyon sections. Be sure that you don't put in at the Wagner Bridge (where you park for the put-in) as a class V+ rapid awaits just downstream. Instead hike along the road on river left and put-in below the first rapid at an access of your choosing. You can scramble down to paddle the run- out below the big drop ( photo) or continue to an easier put-in a short distance downriver.
The run maintains a consistent character for nearly the entire length with continuous class II/III separated by several class III rapids. Even at high flows, the river remains manageable for intermediate paddlers
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportBeautiful day on the NF Snoqualmie.
No portages but a fair amount of wood in play. One gravel bar early on where a few of us got stuck, but plenty of water everywhere else.
First two bits of wood were on far river left. The first was manageable at this flow but might need to be portaged if lower (see picture). The second should be easy to miss at any flow. Both are quite obvious. (no picture of the second wood)
No obvious wood at the crux of the entire run, but once at the bottom you could see some on far river right. (see 2 pics).
After this at the gage a tree has taken out the cable spanning the river, and it is now collecting wood of its own. This section was one of the calmer parts of the river, and we could sneek the wood on the left.
Road to the put in was littered with pot holes (as always) and had a few small down trees that could be cleared without a truck.
Sawyer and I made use of the spring night and made an evening lap.
No more riverwide logs. A few spots with near vertical logs poking off the walls into the main flow.
~600 is definitely low. Before the canyon was bump and grind. Canyon and below was fun and creeky at this level.
Photos
Ran this 2/19/17 - 630cfs
No new wood to report.
Access changes. At the put-in we parked at latitude N47.63895 and longitude W121.69004. it was right along the road on river right, there were no signs saying we couldn't access the river. It was also located downriver of the class V drop they talk about, we never saw it while looking upstream. We took out on the upstream side of the Spur 10 bridge on river left and this is when you need the permit which you can order online. It's a one day pass and the process is automated, once you pay for your permit, it comes pretty quickly via email which you can print and then use the same day. It's $8 per person. Details for the permit can be found at www.sqrecreation.com
As of 11/9/2008 - run is clear of wood! Super FUN run, I am glad we decided to do it even with the 1.3 mile walk out on a dirt road. There is one section of constrained bedrock, that was a little 3 plusish. Lots of opportunity to eddy hop and play. Don't miss this run!
Where Big Creek empties into the North Fork Snoqualmie just downstream of the Wagner Bridge,
the river cascades over an impressive bedrock cascade. Those coming for the class III run put in at
the downstream side of this drop.
Cover of Seattle Times Sunday Pictorial Magazine article on whitewater paddling inspired by trips organized by the Washington Foldboat Club.