Icicle Creek — 3 - Ricochet Section (Middle) © |
Class V-V+
2.5Miles
River Mapplet
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GPS/GIS |
Maps |
Put In Longitude : |
-120.76884 |
Putin |
Put In Latitude : |
47.5509326 |
Take Out Longitude : |
-120.71558 |
Take Out |
Take Out Latitude : |
47.5429956 |
County : |
Chelan |
Shuttle
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Gauge Information (Professor Paddle updated levels from DOE - Icicle Cr. Nr Leavenworth at 1/31/2017 9:18:16 AM)
Gauge |
Forecast |
Height |
Current Flow |
Authority |
Physical Update |
DOE - Icicle Cr. Nr Leavenworth
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n/a |
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138 cfs
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Washington State DOE
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/2017 04:45 |
Minimum Recomended Level: 450 cfs Maximum Recomended Level: 1500 cfs
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AccessYou can put in at 8 mile C.G. if you want to run Ricochet, or you can scramble down from the road and put in below Ricochet. Take out at the Grey Bridge, above " The Seive", or above the diversion dam... There are many access options. |
Putin DetailsWhile many paddlers begin at 8 Mile Camp Ground you can really start anywhere you want. It is common to put in at "RV" and combine the Upper and Middle if flows are a little higher. |
Takeout DetailsFrom the Grey Bridge down to the Low Head Dam above the unrunnable SNOW CREEK CATARACT, there are several take out options. Just don't go below the irrigation diversion dam. Even Paul Bunyon would get pinned in the Snow Creek Cataract. If you gotta probe it, get footage! |
River Alerts ( Add Alert ) |
Pinned Forum Threads |
There is wood stuck in the rock that creats the sieve in the Sieve Rapid. You can still make the move though. - Posted by: tiziak on 4/24/2012 11:49:00 AM -
[Remove Alert]
Wood in the runout of Ricochet, where the river narrows and takes a right turn, there''s a log on the left. Stay right. Also in the rapid above the plunge. River right log from shore into the right line. Left side goes. - Posted by: mikefromTX on 11/25/2015 4:53:00 PM -
[Remove Alert]
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Other IssuesA new gauge is being implemeted for Icicle. Here are some comparative values compiled by WA Boater...
Here are some numbers from last season over there:
Wenatchee @ Peshastin Icicle USGS Icicle Realtime
4100 800 4.1-4.2
5300 1050-1100 4.7-4.8
5600 1050-1100 4.8-4.9
6000 1200 5.1-5.0
5600 1200-1100 5
7200 1400 5.55
6400 1400 5.3
6100 1400
7800 1500 5.7 last years PP race
6900 1500 5.6
7100 1550 5.7
8000 1600 5.9
7200 1600 5.8
8100 1700 6
8000 1700 6
8400 1800
9800 2100 6.3
DOE Icicle gauge https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/wrx/wrx/flows/station.asp?sta=45F070#block0 |
Fun FactsThis is a great summer roadside run. It can be explored drop by drop or as a whole. With minimal portages and really fluid lines this NW classic will have you back year after year.
Jimi Hendrix was once seen sitting on one of these big granite boulders, picking his guitar. |
Run Description [Season: Early Spring or Late Summer]The "Middle" section of Icicle Creek or "Ricochet Section" is a great section of difficult whitewater that will test skills in a safer setting than most V-V+. Still, it is very intricately complex and full of surprises, and generally not a place to try out for the swim team. Very technical and pretty much non stop action. Its best to follow someone who intimately knows the run until you get familiar with it yourself.
The run starts off at 8mi. C.G. with some bouldery Class II-IV before coming to a very short pool above "Ricochet" which the run is named after. This 1/2 mile Class V-V+ beast is worth a thorough scout. Scout it before your run along R. Left, then get a high vantage point of the rapid's entrance on River Right. If you decide to portage, ferry across to R. Left and portage along the road.
Ricochet is long, steep, and complex. Most paddlers tackle it at lower flows when the boulders are high and dry. At higher flows it is a powerhouse of whitewater. "Ricochet Rock" is a large flat boulder that can be found lurking two thirds of the way down. Most paddlers try to boof it on the right.
The run out of this rapid is so distinctly easier that many consider it a different rapid. This has been called "Son of Ricochet".
Below Ricochet most of the water goes through the leftmost channel, culminating in a sweet boof. There is an isolated bank shot on a harmless pillow in the center after the island, followed by a long series of class IV all the way to the Grey Bridge, a common take out when the water is higher. After the grey bridge is "House Rapid". Good boaters have gotten schooled boofing the backed up ledge center left. Routes exist to the right that open up more as you add water.
After "House Rapid" you will have a few more smaller rapids before arriving at the Curler. This section comes at you quick and doesn't let up until just above "The Seive". This rapid is composed of some ugly clusters of boulders that frequently collect wood. Its worth paddling with someone who'll know where it is, otherwise it would be easy to run into blind. It is often portaged at river level on R. Right.
Just below the sieve drop is the entrance rapids to "Horseshoe". Negotiate some technical left to right chutes riding the "pillow of god" into a big eddy on R. Right. Scout from the granite bench. Unless you enjoy dropping into a boxing ring you can't get out of, you'll probably like this easy portage. Horseshoe is quickly followed by a sweet 100 meters of class IV-V ending with "The Plunge"! Both are constricted, distinct drops that are easily spotted from the road on the way up.
Who's Watching | Upcoming Trips on this Run | Trip Reports |
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Trip Report Title | Date |
| 5/6/2008 |
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