Snoqualmie, S. Fork — 3. Seattle Gorge - Exit 42 to Exit 38 © |
Class IV-V
4Miles
Avg Gradient 0 fpm
Max Gradient 0 fpm
River Mapplet
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Gauge Information (Professor Paddle updated levels from SF SNOQUALMIE RIVER AB ALICE at 3/29/2024 3:30:54 AM)
Gauge |
Forecast |
Height |
Current Flow |
Authority |
Physical Update |
SF SNOQUALMIE RIVER AB ALICE
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n/a |
11.23 |
296 cfs
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USGS - NWIS |
03-29-2024 03:15:00 |
Minimum Recomended Level: 300 cfs Maximum Recomended Level: 800 cfs
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AccessEasy access to putin and takeout. |
Putin DetailsIf you want just the action stretch, when you drive east up I-90 from the takeout, watch for an old road after a mile or so, after a a sign for the upcoming Exit 42. It will be gated, but has room to park a couple rigs off the freeway. It's a short 1/10 mile stroll to the river.
For a leisurely paddle in, launch from I-90, Exit 42, Tinkham Rd. Parking and access to the river is off Tinkham Rd on the south side of the freeway. |
Takeout DetailsFrom I-90 Eastbound:
Take Exit 38 Homestead Valley Rd. Take a right, follow road for 2 miles, cross under I-90 there is parking on the left. Discover Pass required.
From I-90 Westbound:
Take Exit 38 Homestead Valley Rd. Take a right, there is parking on the left. Discover Pass required. |
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Other IssuesGauge is located near the putin so it accurately reflects the flow in this stretch. |
Fun FactsI'm calling this the "Seattle Gorge" because only in the Seattle area would you have quality whitewater, easy access, regular water, proximity to the city and total obscurity. |
Run Description [Season: Year-round]--- Submitted by: fiddleyak on 12-11-12 ---
After a couple miles of pleasant class II, the river quickly enters a short stretch of sweet whitewater in a pretty canyon. There are 6-7 distinct rapids with small eddies in between. The character is bedrock slides with boulders. At 350 cfs (low side of good), most of the rapids are class IV except for the final drop which is class V. At 650 cfs, the rapids feel more stacked and powerful and the run will have a class V feel for it's entire brief duration.
The first few drops are fairly straightforward, but be sure to scout for wood (a couple logs block most of the first two, May 2013). The second-to-last drop involves the river splitting into multiple channels. The recommended line is center, off a great boof and then down a slide. This may be difficult to scout at higher water. The final drop requires a tight line on the far right, while taking care to avoid the undercut wall.
Downstream of the takeout there are more rapids and slides, but a diversion removes most of the water. There may be a high enough flow that these runs should be linked together. It may even be worth continuing downstream through 30 ft Limpwrist Falls which is subject to a 2nd diversion.
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