White

Floated from Buckley to Auburn on Saturday, July 24 in inflatable kayaks (advanced elements airfusion). No log jams to portage and lots of great scenery. We hitchhike shuttled, which was successful from the take-out up to Hwy 164 and from Enumclaw down to the put-in, but had to resort to the King County Metro Bus 186 (accepts Orca card) between Auburn and Enumclaw.

The DOT lot on the north side of the river, west side of Hwy 410 has a locked gate, but there's enough room to pull off the road and unload boats in front of the gate. The treated effluent outflow structure serves as a very convenient dock for entry, just put in upstream!

I found this float to be a blast as a beginner paddler. Fairly constant little rapids, with a few splash-you-in-the-face wave trains. Great scenery and wildlife, with very few people. The downed trees added an element of doubt and a few look intimidating, but we were able to paddle past each log jam.

We took out just upstream of the R Street/Kersey Way bridge in Auburn, but wouldn't recommend it. Had to haul the boats up a steep pitch and toss over a low fence into Ballard Park.
Paddle this river!