| Difficulty | IV+ |
| Length | 2.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 104 fpm |
| Gauge | South Fork Skykomish River at Skykomish, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 15 minutes | 296 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 26, 2025 |
The Skykomish River is one of the nation’s premier whitewater destinations. Rising in the high country of the North Cascades, the river and its tributaries attract paddlers from across the country and around the world. The Washington State legislature recognized the river’s outstanding qualities by designating the Skykomish as [...]Read More
The Foss is a popular creek run in the Skykomish drainage and a dependable option during spring snowmelt. It is sometimes possible to run the Foss during an early fall rain event, but it is typically snowed in during the winter.
You could put in as high as the bridge across the river at Forest Road 68 mile 5.0, as described in the Bennett guidebook, but this option is not recommended due to the low-gradient, braided channel and the likelihood of log jams. Most boaters put in at the start of the whitewater at Forest Road 68 mile 3.5. This access is at the turnoff to Forest Road 6830, where a decent trail leads down to the river and puts you on the water just upstream of an island.
From this point downstream, the rapids are Class III+ until you encounter larger boulders and a horizon line a few short minutes below the put-in. This marks the beginning of a couple hundred yards of Class IV action, ending at an eddy upstream of Ken and Barbie. On river left, a talus field slopes down toward the river, and several very large boulders extend into the channel. Ken and Barbie can also be partially scouted during the shuttle by scrambling down toward the river near the mile 3 marker on Forest Road 68, though trees make scouting from the road difficult.
At Ken and Barbie, the river splits left and right around a midstream rock, with the two pourovers rejoining in a hole at the bottom. The primary hazard here is wood, which can easily wedge between the boulders (this drop can push V- particulary at higher flows). Catch an eddy below Ken and Barbie and stay in control through continued Class IV action for the next several hundred yards. Stay alert for logs and enjoy the ride. Most rapids from this point downstream are straightforward, though you may want to get out and check a few drops to confirm they are clean. Shortly after this section, the river begins to mellow, lines become easier to read from the boat, and within a few minutes the railroad bridge app
...Although the river can be accessed farther upstream, the standard put-in—used to avoid the low-gradient, braided channel—is at the junction of Forest Road 6830 and Forest Road 68. This access is located at mile 3.5 on Forest Road 68 (the Foss River Road), where Forest Road 6830 branches off to the left. From here, it is a short hike through the woods down to the river. A faint social trail, worn in by kayakers, may be visible, though it is not always easy to find. If no clear path appears, continue working your way downslope toward the river; the Pacific coastal rainforest is quick to reclaim any trace of past travel.
The most significant drop on the run recognized by the talus field on river left that marks the approach. A couple different options are available depending on flows, any wood hazards which often lurk in this drop, and what you identify as your preferred line. Scouting is genearlly recommended. Below this drop the river continues with great class IV action that gradually mellows out as you reach the railroad bridge where the river transitions to class III.
A short trail at mile 3.0 on Forest Road 68 leads down to the river beneath the railroad bridge on river right. This access is a good option for paddlers seeking 2.2 miles of intermediate creeking, continuing downstream onto the Tye River. From this point down, wood can be a persistent hazard, though the rapids generally do not exceed Class III.
Although many continue downstream onto the Tye River for another 0.8 mile, the bridge across the Foss River at mile 1.0 on Forest Road 68 serves as an alternate takeout. It is located immediately upstream of the confluence with the Tye River. The land here is all private so be sure to stay within the bridge right-of-way if using this as an access point. Forest Road 68 (the Foss River Road) begins at Highway 2, mile 50.6.
From the confluence where the Foss River joins the Tye River, continue 0.8 mile down the Tye River to the Highway 2 Bridge.
The take-out on the Tye River is located at Highway 2, mile 51.0 (elevation 990'). There is limited parking for one or two vehicles and a reasonable take-out on river right, just upstream of the bridge.
Jun 3, 2025
Caught a quick low flow run 5/31/25 on Lower Foss from RR bridge to Hwy 2. Still fun if you like a manky minimum flow run, and upper class 4 rapids looked low-but-goes as well. Only bad wood was visible from Foss Rd bridge downstream on river left. S Fk Sky at Skykomish USGS gauge was at 2100-2200 cfs, should correlate much better than main Sky gauge. Moss covered flat 'table' rock downstream left of Foss Rd bridge is good indicator, see photo for minimum flow level. Prof Paddle says 3-6 inches of rock sticking up is medium-high. If rock is covered, things will be frickin rippin for sure!
May 23, 2025
Photos of access sites on the Foss River.