Stillaguamish, S. Fork

4 - Granite Falls to Jordan (Lower)

April 15, 2014

Trip Report

ReporterMichael Zlatkovsky

We floated the river in two Alpaca packrafts a couple of weeks ago, on April 6, 2014. Water level was 6.7 when we started, and dropped to 6.3 by the time we got back to the car. We left a bicycle at the take-out, then returned to the put-in. Because we got a late start, we decided to cut a large chunk out of the bike-ride -- and instead of putting in at the base of Granite Falls waterfall, but at the closer bridge (on intersection of Jordan Rd & 192nd Dr NE, a miles or so downstream). It made the floating a mile or so shorter, but cut down probably 4-5 miles of extra biking on a circuitous path back to Granite Falls. It was a pleasant and easy trip (and quite scenic for a good half of it, away from houses). It was quite placid (at least when we went): I think even an absolute beginner would have done fine with us that day.

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NOTE for those who do want to do the full route: it may sound obvious, but the loud rumbling sound you hear from the 'official' put-in bridge is, in fact, the Granite Falls waterfall that presumably gives the town its name. So instead of considering putting in right at the bridge (which would be difficult to get to anyway, the river there runs a good 100+ ft below the bridge) -- walk to the downstream side of the bridge and follow a nice wide path for 5-10 minutes to get clear below the falls. Though we ended doing the 'abridged' route, we did take a look at the official put-in -- and were rather aghast that we had considered putting in at the bridge, seeing the killer waterfall that we would have ended up in 5 minutes later. So, if it sounds like a waterfall, rumbles like a waterfall, and is in a place that is known for a waterfall -- it might just be a waterfall :-)