Snoqualmie, N. Fork

The landslide RR just below Big Nasty appears to continue to be active with another recent addition of trees, boulders, and debris since spring flows.  Photos attached.

During a recent trip to Ernie’s, we discovered a new landslide just downstream of Big Nasty. The river-right wall has collapsed, depositing a handful of massive boulders, a large scree pile, and a few trees into the river. The resulting constriction creates a new rapid which leads directly into Vertical Vortex. There is a small eddy above the rapid on river-left which is guarded by rocks. Reaching this eddy to scout, portage, or sneak the drop seemed challenging from our vantage point.

There are several new hazards in the vicinity. Extreme caution is warranted around the landslide. We witnessed several instances of active rockfall onto the scree pile, including car-sized boulders, which would have been lethal to boaters attempting to scout or portage at river level. We also saw a tree lodged vertically in the right side of Vertical Vortex, with many other logs both upstream and downstream, near the top of Toilet Bowl.

For the time being, boaters putting on to Ernie's should be prepared to navigate steep terrain to scout, portage, or hike out around the landslide.

Hans and Scott portage a rapid below Split Falls.

Hans Hoomans and Scott Waidelich R2 the drop above Cool Rapid.

Hans Hoomans and Scott 'Fish' Waidelich navigate the drop above Cool Rapid.

Hans and Scott rafting Split Falls of Ernie's Gorge with lots of style!

Hans and Fish drop through Split Falls with a splash!

Looking down on Jacuzzi and the nasty boil below. Mildly arduous portage with a raft.

Looking upstream at Jacuzzi in Ernie's Gorge. Many nasty boils bellow up from below.

Hans and Scott maneuver through one of the last drops in Ernie's Canyon.

Hans Hoomans and Scott Waidelich R2 Cool Rapid in Ernie's Gorge.

Gauge is off. Reading low. Yesterday 6.2 on the stick gauge was a medium flow. Online said it was around 350.

Gauge has been recalibrated as of 1/4/10: Observed 6.7 on visual gauge when online reading was 950 cfs. Seems about right.
Recommend checking visual gauge at takeout bridge before putting on. 5.8 to 6.7 is the appproximate low to high range.

This log was lodged in Raft Catch in 2005 but as of
2006 it is no longer present.
This log was lodged in Raft Catch in 2005 but as of
2006 it is no longer present.

New wood as of 29Dec10. Not sure what the name of the rapid is but we call it hard left.