Has anyone boated the Upper Wenatchee lately?  I heard there was wood in one of the rapids, but I don't know which one.  Anyone know about it?  Is it super visible or does the rapid need a scout?  Thanks!

Megan-

If the Chiwawa stays in above 850 cfs, that's a nice run in the upper Wenatchee drainage. I haven't been on the Chwawa this year, so I can't give you a wood report. On PP site, I'm unsure where the Huckleberry Campground is located. But I think it is too far up. I recommend against going too far out the Chiwawa River road because of wood. Grouse Creek (not Goose Creek) Campground is about as far as I go. ( see http://www.justgetout.net/wenatchee/16860 )  I usually put in before Grouse Creek campground and run down to the wier in the Chiwawa River Pines community. This is a long, splashy class 3- run at 1-1.5k cfs, catch on the fly surf, easy boofing and rock dodging. No hydraulics or holes of significance. Fun, continuous rapid for 1 - 1.5 miles below the Chiwawa River Bridge.  Dense forest at 2200' elevation. No homes or roads until the last 2 miles. Take a playboat. Good for those in an IK.

The Upper Wenatchee, from Lake Wenatchee to the Tumwater Campground on Hwy 2, Is class 2 water. Very nice float trip, especially below Plain. Wood has never been an issue. There is really only one 2+\3- in the section, a straight forward left bending rapid.

If you continue on into Tumwater Canyon, then there is another few miles that contain several class 3 Rapids before one reaches The Wall, which at 4-5k is a class 5+. The upper section of Tumwater above The Wall is ok boating. But I enjoy the Chiwawa and the Wenatchee Play Run more.

Chris

Edited by otterend - 18 May 2015 at 11:35am

I've been wanting to float the Chiwawa for years.  I'll even drive folks up there if they wanna go.
Brett

They've fenced off the formerly used 'flat' spot, but there is a short easy access point 20yds downstream of the fence.