Rattlesnake Creek (Naches trib.)

The Naches was about 1,460 cfs on May 13, 2026, when three of us kayaked the creek. Flow was on the good side of low and the run took 3 hours, including about 6 short log portages plus several spots we scouted for routes around wood. A couple of the portages were in the first mile, but when the valley narrowed into the first canyon there were fun Class III drops. The second canyon is a narrow twisting gorge where folded columnar basalt walls extend to the water on both banks, in places reminiscent of Idaho's Jarbidge Canyon. See Nick B.'s report from two weeks ago for great pictures. Fortunately, there were no portages in the gorge. At twice the flow I would be wary of undercut headwalls. After you pass a group of cabins the river valley spreads out through braided channels of boulders, cobbles and wood for the last couple of miles. Go with a small group that can catch small eddies and doesn't mind the portages. For us, it was worth the price of admission.

In a region that has some stunning columnal basalt, I can't think of a more impressive display than what we saw paddling Rattlesnake Creek. The river made us work for it though, we had about 3 portages in the upper section of the river and another 10 in the braided section. The river really moved around noticeably since the prior year due to the winter flooding. The take out bridge even washed out! So approach the river from the south side. — Ariel, Brett, and I floated down on May 2nd 2026. Flows were 1750 on the nearby Naches @ Cliffdel gauge. Felt like a medium-low flow to me. — We started out at the put in bridge. About a mile downstream, where there used to be a log jam, the river channel shifted to the right and now avoids it. Unfortunately, some of that wood washed downstream around the bend and wedged itself in the best rapid! Bummer. Looks like it may clean out in years to come though. Portage on the right and admire one of the more impressive displays of angular basalt above. 46.80846, -121.05256 — The second portage was about 50 yards below. From here on there was some nice class III- rapids and some scenic basalt displays. While the rapids didn't push beyond class III, the swiftness of the river and it's propensity to gather wood would keep me from bringing any beginners along. There aren't many good eddies either. We'd usually drive ourselves onto a cobble bank to get out. — Not before too long, we passed under the bridge with the baller cabins around. Just around the next bend was the entrance to the Grand Gorge. 300 foot tall sheer basalt cliffs flanked our entrance. Wow. Over the course of the next several bends the canyon entranced us. Wow. 46.81316, -120.99358 – Afterwards, the river opened up and braided. 10+ portages around some channel spanners in this very active section of river. The year prior we only had 2 or 3 portages here. We took out at the wdfw access point with the drop toilet. 46.81687, -120.94289 — We drove shuttle this year, but the bike shuttle is really cool. There's a lot of climbing at first, but it is rewarded with some magnificent views of the river with snowcapped mountains in the background. Dispersed camped in the valley too enjoy the rest of the weekend in this beautiful place!

Description is spot on for this one, absolutely stunning basalt gorge scenery for most of the 8 mile run! Scenery ramps up quickly and never lets up! Rapids are class 2 with some nice 3, but current is fast everywhere and eddies generally small. We had 3 tree portages, all short, easy carries, all could sneak up on you fast if you're gawking at the cliffs. To be safe, you need to be very confident you can get stopped in fast class 2+ to 3 water. Not really a run for the aspiring class 3 boater. Shifting wood could result in mission creep, so give yourself plenty of daylight to reach the bridge. 2500 cfs on Naches gauge felt like a good first-time level. Absolutely worth the price of admission, 5 stars, definitely recommend!

• This trip was amazing, after the bridge where you put in at, you'll get 3 right turns to warm up, the river drops to the left and you limbo under wood, get right because a log blocks the bottom of the rapid. After you get back on river 2 miles of pool drop class 3 rapids come fast and hard.    You'll pass by a fire station on river left and 1/2 mile after is another log jam,  (possibly to limbo on right)another 1/2 mile stay left, the river is jammed, but a small path on river left is clean, class 4 moves are needed for getting around, under, over  wood. The river goes through 2 miles of a beautiful gourge with 1 under then 1 over and a portage (the right is clean at high level's) all and all I got out of the boat 3 times for a 3 3min walks, which gives the legs a break. This run is amazing and nothing on this side of the passes is like it.

We ran on July 7 when Naches at Clifdell was at 2500 cfs. This was a good flow but it could have used a touch more water in spots. We had four wood portages and two limbo logs. All were fairly straightforward and visible from upstream although at least one required quickly scrambling to a small eddy. Great continuous whitewater with no rapids more than class III but wood is in play requiring the occasional class IV move. Spectacular scenery and a great trip--solitude and remote feel with relatively simple logistics (easy put-in and take-out on both ends).

Afternoon trip in July on Rattlesnake Creek. Paddlers were Omar Jepperson, Emma Johnson, Jeramy Kimball, and Thomas O'Keefe. Naches at Clifdell was at 2500 cfs.

So bring your skills and your sense of adventure, because this run although woody is well worth the blood and sweat of the portages (at least 5 mandatory) with 1 being down right hellish. The beginning rapids are fun and the ever twisting river (hence the name rattlesnake) will keep your heart rate up and eyes focus for potential river stopping wood. There is at least one class IV and it’s got a river wide log, but at the right flows and blood to alcohol level you should be able to buff over it. Enjoy the remoteness of the run (feels like a class V exploratory trip) and don’t plan on hiking out, once on the river your happy A#@ is committed.

One of the few runs on the Wenatchee National Forest
where the road doesn't run along the river bank.

The put-in is at the FR 1502 Bridge shown here.
Parking is avaialble off the road in the vicinity of the
bridge.
The last mile before the take-out.

Gee David, you beat me to it! I just want to second David's point about the Class III rating...this river REQUIRES Class IV skills due to the logs (that will be there). Worth the carries though, most were very easy.

This is a beautiful run with awesome scenery and great rapids. The run starts in a tight canyon with alternating cliffs and steep rapids. It then goes through a broad valley with continuous low-gradient rapids with lots of braids. Next, it enters a winding box canyon with tall cliffs on each side. The rapids here are mostly curves into slightly undercut basalt walls. The run ends in another broad valley with braids and lots of shallow gravel bars.

Despite the class III rating in the guides, this is not a run for class III boaters. In the Spring of 2004, we had to portage logs 9 times. Also, there was a river-wide log in the second canyon that would be very difficult to portage, and luckily can be run (run it close to the wall, where there is a log sticking out - if you are too far left, you could get stuck on the log like I did). If you do this run, take a light boat be prepared for portages, but be prepared to have a blast! This run is worth the hassle.