Little Wenatchee

Clean as of 6/3/2018.
Due to a navigation error on my part, we accidentally ran past the normal takeout to the Rainy Creek Campground - located on river right. Lots of class II in this area, but a very nice class IV gorge that is a step easier than the stuff up above. Totally worth the extra ~45 minutes on the water.

The river is completely clean of wood as of June 2017.

Omar sets up for the right hand slot on Let's Make a Deal.

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

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!!

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.

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.

Lots of action at this great drop

Portage this one!!!

This photo shows the first of two logs we encountered of any significance. The log is in play at the exit of this rapid (same log hanging above me). One must be in control, and make a fairly strong move to the left side final ledge (boof the ledge), in order to avoid getting stuffed right, where the log is definitely in play. Fairly easy portage on river left if so desired. A small eddy 'just' above the entrance to The Flume is where we got out to scout.
Sequence shot #2, showing the move boofing left to avoid any encounters with the log in the right side of this channel. Again, portage on the left side if you don't feel confident in this move.
This is a photo sequence of the other (& most) significant log(s) on this run. This log-jam demands close attention. There are a couple logs forming this hazard. The entrance move is a little tricky, and you HAVE to be far right in order to squeeze through the small opening...anything else is BAD. Consider this a class V move with bad consequenses. That said, everyone in our group did fine. Don't know if the rapid has a name. We scouted river-right, which is the better side for scouting/portaging. After this log-move, the river bends sharp left around a blind corner. Fortunately, the river calms to class II just out of sight.
Sequence shot #2 coming through the most significant log jam of the trip. Take this one seriously. Scout/portage river-right.