Little Wenatchee

After the first ledge the river flows through some easy class II before it hits the first gorge.

Latest report is that as of spring 2004, the Little Wenatchee is free of wood and well worth a visit.

We ran The Little Wenatchee in May of 2005 after confirming the rumors of the run being fairly free of wood. We were pleasantly surprised to find great IV - IV+ action at the levels we were there (800 - 900 cfs). We thought those levels were about perfect. We chose to put in on river left based on some locals input. We took out at (decommisioned) Lake Creek Campground. The put-in/take-out instructions in the guidebook and how they look on a Gazetteer seemed confusing. Simply drive up the river-left side after leaving Lake Creek Campground. Once you see a Forest Service Gate, about 3 miles up the road, (open or closed doesn't matter), park on the outside of the gate, and hike directly down to the river. This puts you a short ways above the first good drop (7 ft ledge), and the action doesn't stop until Lake Creek Campground. We did the run with zero portages, but one or two might be prudent depending on ability, water level, and any shifting of logs that may occur. I've put a couple of series of pictures in the gallery, showing where we encountered a few logs of note. I recommend this run as one of WA's best class IV - IV+ rivers.

The Little Wenatchee (WA) is one of those rivers you see in the guidebook and you just know it's going to be a jewel. Lots of Class 4 and some 5 in a technical, steep gorge in a remote area waaaaaay up in the mountains above Lake Wenatchee. In Jeff Bennett's guidebook, Gary Korb wrote the description and calls it'one of my favorite runs.' Must be a classic.

Here's the unfortunate reality:

Currently, there is bad wood in every major drop except Let's Make a Deal. We're talking total closeouts. There's also must-walk wood in other reaches of the gorge sections. Expect arduous portages around some fantastic rapids - it's a true heartbreak, really. Some of the sticks are tough to see from upriver and committing to an unrunnable, unportageable situation is a frighteningly real possibility. It's probably gonna need at least 15K to 20K on the Wenatchee gauge to clean it out. Maybe more.

BTW, we had plenty of water with the main Wenatchee flowing 4,100 cfs, but it would get scrapy with any less water. The road to the put-in is impassable about 1/2 mile short of the end. It's an easy but long hike to the end of the road and across the clearcut to the river.

Mike Arnold
6/12/01

As of July 4, 2006, there is only one mandatory portage that our group found. We had been told about the wood in 'the Flume' so we were looking for it. It could be very scary if you didn't know it was there or didn't scout. Consider 'the Flume' mandatory portage at this time. Everything else was good to go, but things can change.

As of spring 2007 the run was totally clean with no wood portages (aside from a log across the last drop at Lake Creek Campground). Of course this situation can chance at any time and you should still scout the blind corners on your first run down. Awesome run!!

The put-in requires a hike down the hill from the road that takes about 10 minutes. On the way you pass some massive trees.
Deep in the forest of the Little Wenatchee gorge, First Ledge marks the start of one of the finest whitewater runs in eastern Washington.
Entering the first gorge section on the Little Wenatchee.
One of the many fun rapids on the Little Wenatchee.
Dirk lining up for the right side slot on Let's Make a Deal.
This is the view from overhead of the crux move in the Second Gorge. The river necks down to this narrow slot that features a double hole combination.
Dirk heads into the first hole of two at the narrow slot in the second gorge.
One of many beautiful pools on the Little Wenatchee.
Looking downstream from the entrance to The Flume on the Little Wenatchee.
Looking upstream at The Flume.