Bridge Creek (Stehekin River)
Ingalls Boulder Field Trailhead to Lady of the Lake Ferry Terminal
| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 25.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 180 fpm |
| Permit | Must obtain backcountry permit from Marblemount Range station. Also pre-arrange shuttle on the ferry prior to launching. |
| Gauge | Stehekin River at Stehekin, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 45 minutes | 2860 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 8, 2020 |
River Description
Bridge Creek is a classic Washington multi-day wilderness run (25 miles) through the North Cascades Wilderness area. The only deterrent of this run is the difficult logistics associated to make it happen.
Gear up at the Bridge Creek Trailhead parking lot and hike 3.25 south on the PCT to the Fireweed Campground. This put-in is a compromise between having just enough water to float a kayak and lack of trees to not make safety and tree portaging a hassle. In the beginning you will be looking for the deep flow while keeping an eye downstream for the wayward tree. While the flow will not be ideal, it will be better than hiking with a loaded boat.
Once you reach the South Fork Bridge Creek tributary that runs on river left you begin to have a small rapid here and there to break up the duldrum of downriver travel. Soon the North Fork Bridge creek flows in on river right and now you have adequate flow.
Right below the confluence you encounter the 25 foot sieved out waterfall. Portage river right by either going up and over or by lining boats at water level with a stern and bow line. The up and over will require rope work both up and down and lining will require risk of working in front of the sieve, choose your poison.
Once below the falls, Bridge creek steepens up and the rapids get good all the way to the confluence with Stehekin requiring an occasional scout.
At the Stehekin, the flow once again increases and the first rapid after the confluence has a punchy hole at the bottom. As you pick your way down the Stehekin, you will soon come to a bridge. This marks the start of the Tumwater Gorge section. If you are not up for the Gorge, carry your boat river right down the Stehekin Valley Road about 1 mile to the High Bridge campground.
Put-in at the High Bridge is difficult, instead go to the High Bridge campground and look for a trail with switch backs marked with a water sign. This will put you river right above the High B
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportGreat trip through Bridge, the Stehekin and Tumwater canyon! Bridge creek has a river wide log directly below the put in that we put in below. Otherwise the wood was manageable through the mank above the North Fork confluence with some ducks and wheelchairs, but only 1 portage.
Below the confluence with the North fork and on into the Stehekin the river was awesome and relatively wood free until it starts to pick up again about ~1/2 mile above Tumwater campground.
The rapid with the large wood pile on river left (first large one you come to on the stehekin) has wood blocking the right entrance. We entered the main line from the left.
Tumwater Canyon: Large trees in the 3rd and 5th (crux) rapids. The 3rd rapid tree is avoidable, but should be scouted. The tree in the 5th rapid is avoidable if you're in control (none of us had trouble), and looked clean of branches.
Overall a great trip! Love this river!
Scotty Baker works his way left on the big portage. Most crews portage on river right.
Scotty Baker and Lucas Rietmann venturing down into the bowels of Bridge Creek.
It's a 4 hour ferry ride out, this leaves plenty of time to kick back and relax after the trip.
July 15, 2018
~2,300 cfs
High quality whitewater.
3,000 cfs