We ran the Cle Elum a couple weeks back. The flow was approximately 2,500 cfs. Previous trip reports on PP eluded to one mandatory portage but we found 3. The first was above the rapid before S turn. Portage river right. S turn was fine but the second drop is not worth the risk unless it's dramatically different at lower flows. There are 2 river level logs blocking the outflow of the second drop and at 2,500 it was very sketchy and a roll of the dice. We caught the "eddy" before the second drop on river right. It's a one boat "eddy" and more like slack, shallow water that you must catch and jump out to help catch others. Make sure the first person is out of their boat before sending others down. The rapid immediately after S turn has some nasty hidden wood that's easy to run into. As you enter the rapid you will see a huge boulder river center with a log sticking in the air. The nasty wood is out of sight until on top of it but at the same boulder. We snuck river left which was easy but maybe scrapy at lower flows. The final portage was in the last gorge which I think some referred to the wood tunnel or something, I'd call it a coffin, maybe it changed but there was no way through when we were there. As you enter a gorge after China Falls, scout/portage river right. Again at lower flows it may not be so deadly as it's a tight slot and the water level may drop enough to sneak under but the walk is easy.

Edited by cmellon - 27 Jun 2013 at 8:30pm