| Difficulty | III+ |
| Length | 15.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 11, 2020 |
Beginning high in the North Cascades, the Skagit Wild and Scenic River winds down steep slopes, through forested hillsides and wide open valleys, eventually reaching Puget Sound. The rivers of this system – the Skagit, Sauk, Suiattle, and Cascade – flow through rugged wilderness, forestlands, rural communities, farmlands, and [...]Read More
FUN FACT: Unique as one of the most intact river systems in Western Washington. Opportunities for an overnight trip.
SEASON: You can find boatable flows throughout the year but the river is particularly popular during the summer when glacier melt keeps the river running longer than other nearby runs. If you're looking for an endless supply of big wave trains check this run out after several days of hot weather just after peak flows on the Sauk have passed.
ACCESS: Follow Highway 530 about 15 minutes north out of Darrington and cross the Sauk River (mile 56.1). Continue on Highway 530 to mile 56.5 and take the turn-off for Suiattle River Road (FR 26). Continue on this road to mile 10.0 and turn on to FR 25 which dips down to the river. This is the Rat Trap Bridge (aka Boundary Bridge) which is the take-out for the run. The boat launch on river left washed away in the October 2003 flood but paddlers have found a route adjacent to the upstream river right side of the bridge. This side of the river is all private land so stay within the bridge right-of-way. To reach the put-in, return to FR 26 and continue upstream along river right. After you cross Downey Creek you will soon arrive at the Downey Creek trailhead at mile 20.2 (Northwest Forest Pass required). There is a steep slide (~100') down to the river that provides access to a good eddy just upstream of the Downey Creek confluence and this is the recommended put-in for rafters and kayakers who want to avoid the worst of the wood hazards. Continuing on upstream past Sulphur Creek Campground the road ends at the old horse camp (mile 22.0) that provides decent river access.
For the most recent road and river information check the [Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest web site](http://
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs) (check forest road conditions for Darrington District), or call the Darrington Ranger District at (360) 436-1155 .
DESCRIPTION:
The Sui
...Jul 30, 2007
This run is currently not accessible (July 2007). About 2 miles above Rat Trap Bridge, the road is washed out and there is no alternative access.
As for the levels, the guides are often confusing, using percentages of flows differently. What I do is to take the flow on the Sauk at Sauk and subtract twice the flow of the Upper Sauk. That's approximately the flow on the Suiattle.
Dec 29, 2006
The river gauge here seems to be way of, in the Guide to Whitewater Rivers of Washington the minimum suggested level is 1500 cfs where the post says 3000 and in the pictures there are peolpe paddling at 2000 cfs.
Jul 2, 2006
Exhilerating ride with four points requiring portage. This fast paced river is not for the rookies.