What are some good western washington rivers to raft/ kayak, and put in and take out points, calss rapids??

Question

One day or more trips, best time to go, latest to go? Aprox flow and water temp if possible, and where to got a mapof the river

Answer 1

I have rafted the Grand Ronde in Oregon and the Salmon River in northern Idaho.  Both will take you through beautiful and scenic country, largely rural (GR) or wilderness (SR).

A friend of mine gives tours on the Salmon River--SRE.

Answer 2

Check out http://www.americanwhitewater.org for detailed river information. Click on "river info" and choose your state.

Answer 3

Skykomish

Answer 4

There are tons up there in Wash. Here are some of the more popular Washington runs:

Wenatchee, WA



  Section Leavenworth to Cashmere or Monitor

Location Chelan County near Cashmere, eastern Washington

Driving Time Seattle—3.0 hours; Spokane—3.0 hours

Difficulty Class II-III, IV

Trip Length 15-21 miles (24-34 km)

Season April-July

Methow, WA



  Section McFarland Creek to Pateros

Location Okanogan County northwest of Brewster, eastern Washington

Driving Time Seattle—4 hours; Spokane—3 hours

Difficulty Class III-IV

Trip Length 17 miles (27 km)

Season May-June



Section Tieton Dam to Windy Point

Location Yakima County, west of Naches, south-central Washington

Driving Time Portland—3 hours; Seattle—3 hours

Difficulty Class II-III+; paddle raft experience recommended

Trip Length 13 miles (21 km)

Season September

Klickitat, WA



  Section Yakima Indian Reservation boundary to Leidl Bridge

Location Yakima and Klickitat counties near Glenwood, south-central Washington

Driving Time Seattle—-5 hours; Portland—2 hours

Difficulty Class III-IV; rafting experience recommended

Trip Length 15 miles (24 km)

Season April-June



Nooksack (North Fork), WA

  Section Douglas Fir Camp to Maple Falls

Location Whatcom County, east of Bellingham, western Washington

Driving Time Seattle—2.5 hours; Vancouver—1.5 hours

Difficulty Class II-III

Trip Length 8 miles (13 km)

Season July-September



Suiattle, WA



  Section Rat Trap Bridge to Sauk River

Location Snohomish and Skagit counties near Darrington, western Washington

Driving Time Seattle—2 hours

Difficulty Class I-III

Trip Length 13 miles (21 km)

Trip Options Paddle raft, oar raft; one-day

Season May-August



Section White Chuck Campground to Darrington

Location Snohomish County, southeast of Darrington, western Washington

Driving Time Seattle—2 hours

Difficulty Class II-III, IV

Trip Length 10 miles (16 km)

Season May-July

Section Newhalem to Copper Creek

Location Whatcom and Skagit counties near Marblemount, western Washington

Driving Time Seattle—2.5 hours

Difficulty Class I-II, III

Trip Length 9 miles (14 km) (upper)

Season July-September

Skagit (Eagle Float), WA



  Section Marblemount to Rockport

Location Skagit County near Rockport, western Washington

Driving Time Seattle—2 hours

Difficulty Class I

Trip Length 8 miles (13 km)

Season December-February



Skykomish, WA



  Section Index to Big Eddy

Location Snohomish County near Gold Bar, western Washington

Driving Time Seattle—1.5 hours

Difficulty Class III-V; rafting experience highly recommended

Trip Length 8 miles (13 km)

Season March-July



Elwha, WA



  Section Altaire Campground to Highway 101 and the Elwha Resort

Location Clallam County, west of Port Angeles, northwest Washington

Driving Time Seattle—3.5 hours

Difficulty Class I-II

Trip Length 6 miles (9.5 km)

Season April-September



Hoh, WA



  Section Oxbow Canyon

Location Jefferson County, south of Forks, northwest Washington

Driving Time Seattle—4.5 hours

Difficulty Class I-II

Trip Length 6 miles (9.5 km)

Season April-July

You can google any of these runs for more information.   There is also the White Salmon in Washington (just google it), and if your in Oregon, you'll want to check out the Rogue River (it's a must), and if in California, the North fork of the American river is also a must (Chile Bar and The Gorge).  Also, check out the websites of any kayaking clubs in your area to get some real good local gouge on the latest run conditions.

Hope that helps.  Happy boating

Answer 5

Spring is the best time to go and can until July/August, depending on the river. The Skykomish is the only class V in the area. Most are II to IV, depending on the winter's snowfall.