Pilchuck Creek

The whitewater on this run does not exceed class II but you may encounter wood hazards that require more advanced skills. The flows on winter rains.

From the put-in at the Old Highway 9 Bridge, the river starts off with some fun class II rapids through intermittent canyons and beautiful forests. You will pass under the Centennial Trail bridge in this section and a few secret swimming holes. The rapids seem to taper off after you pass a property on the left with bright green roofs.

As you approach the Stanwood-Bryant Road Bridge there are some more wood hazards but the river backs off a tad in speed and difficulty. The river cuts through some braided channels before passing by a farm field just downstream of the Angel of the Winds RV Resort, marked by a huge eroding gray bluff on the river right. The water quality decreases from here to the takeout but soon you will be entertained by passing under the I-5 Bridges.

Below I-5 to the takeout is a mellow stretch that is unfortunately littered with trash from the freeway upstream, use caution through this section as there are many pieces of trash in the riverbed including metal scraps that could potentially cause damage to equipment or a dangerous situation for swimmers.

The takeout is on the river left at the 236th st NE bridge just before the Pilchuck enters the Stillaguamish River. It is possible to continue onto the Stillaguamish and takeout a short ways downstream off of Pioneer Highway or take out just below the freeway on Old 99 N.

What you see at the put-in characterizes the first but about 5-10 minutes in you will pass under the Centennial Trail Bridge. Downstream of the bridge, the river passes through a scenic forested reach where conifers line the bank and an bedrock wall extends down river left. The section has some fun class II whitewater.

This section is not as popular as the Upper an

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