Skykomish

It was a great weekend for the Collegiate Whitewater Festival, with beautiful weather and optimal flows on the Skykomish River. The event brought together 77 racers and 45 volunteers for a fantastic day on the water.

The intermediate race ran from Confluence to Boulder Drop, while the advanced race covered the stretch from Boulder Drop to Split Rock. The day concluded with awards and prizes at the River House in Index.

Put in at the South Fork Skykomish Bridge and made it down to Big Eddy. River was low and occasionally bottomed out, but didn't ever have to walk more than a few feet. Much lower and I think you'd end up having to walk some shallow sections. Great Day!

Two of us (kayak and packraft) ran from the confluence down to Split Rock at 800 cfs and then picked up another paddler before continuing on down to Big Eddy. We had enough water to get down although one of us got stuck in the Maze. There may be a better route thorugh than the one we took. Boulder Drop was good to go and plenty of fun. It feels steep at these flows.

I was in meetings on my birthday the day before but my friends Web and Cyn were up for a Friday morning paddle on the Skykomish River. This is such a wonderful gem in our back yard. The sun was out and while the water was not warm, the rapids were nice and fluffy.

Split Rock Access is privately owned. The site is maintained by Outdoor Adventure Center.

The community out on the river remembering Sam Grafton on his home river.

A fall trip on the Skykomish River.

Access at Sunset Falls. The traditional access was to seal launch off the rocks on river right into the pool at the base of Sunset Falls. Site visit with Snohomish PUD.

Renee's Hole in Boulder Drop on the Skykomish River at about 1790 cfs. This is a sticky, recirculating hole that can be problematic for swimmers.

River trip with Thomas O'Keefe, Claire Hews, Megi Morishita, and Jennie Goldberg.

Newly completed access improvements at Cable Drop implemented through a partnership between the Forest Service and American Whitewater with volunteer assistance from Washington Recreational River Runners.

Construction underway on the Cable Drop access site, a partnership between Forest Service and American Whitewater with support of Washington Recreational River Runners.

Boulder Drop. Can see from Rt. 2. Big hole with a little frown to it bottom left (not seen in pic)

There is a downed tree on river right in the middle of the first rapid after the confluence. It's easy to see the tree, but it blocks most, if not all the eddies on river right through the rapid.

11/11/2006 PLEASE NOTE: the gauge is reportedly off! A very experienced oarsman who knows the Sky intimately reported that 6500ish felt like 9000ish. The difference will be exponential with higher flows....

I could run Boulder Drop all day. Start river left with the double drop, run the right needle, and move back to the center to run the final drops. It's always fun to find the creek line in a big river.

Here is a downstream view of the first drop in Boulder Drop. Passing two rocks on their left in this first drop (you only see the second one in this picture) you goal is the big eddy on river right. From the eddy, you ferry high across the current keeping your boat facing upstream as you drift backwards into Airplan Turn entrance. To see the rest of the route sketched out see http://nwkayaker.blogspot.com

A deep landing in Ned's!

With the American Whitewater board meeting held in Goldbar, the staff along with a few board members and local friends got together for a run on the Skykomish River.

Access sites on the river.

Photos of access points on the Skykomish River.

Fun trip on the Skykomish River in the summer taking the C2 down.

Cherish Carroll's first place ride through Powerline in the freestyle through a rapid competition at SkyFest 2001.

Boated with Jen, Everett, Kevin, Chris, Collin, and Dave Vican. I demoed a Micro 240.  We put on at the railroad bridge in Index.  Not too bad of a run on North Fork at this level although it would certainly be more fun with additional water.

University Kayak Club Trip. [I believe I have the right date]

My first trip on the Skykomish River and my first time out on the river after moving to Washington State. I joined the University Kayak Club on a trip led by Claudio. We had a couple of swims as Tasia was briefly pinned at the entrance with Dave then also having issues.

Noah Bader-Fourney running the standard line through Boulder Drop at low flow.