Plain Access

An intermediate access point can be reached by heading north on Highway 207 for 3.8 miles from Highway 2 at Cole’s Corner (Highway 2 mile 84.7), then turning right onto Highway 209 (Chumstick Highway). Continue 4.5 miles east to the bridge across the Wenatchee River. Chelan PUD developed a new access point on the downstream river right side of the bridge, funded by the Public Power Benefit Program. The lot holds roughly a dozen vehicles; parking on the left side first helps keep space available for vans with trailers to turn around. A short gravel path leads from the lot to steep, four-foot-wide concrete stairs that descend to the river and can be difficult to use with large rafts. During high flows above 5,000 cfs, the base of the steps will be submerged, and shoreline vegetation makes the access hard to see from the river and easy to float past. From the river, this access point is on river right, about 20 feet downstream of the Chumstick Highway Bridge. Although the location is predictable, it is still easy to miss because no natural eddy marks the landing. For floats from the headwaters to Tumwater with small children, this site can serve as a useful way station, as a portable toilet is available in the parking area.