Update 1Jul2004, T. O'Keefe

Update

So several people have pointed out that the weekend report was several months out of date. I just kind of put it aside for a while as it was hard to always attend to it on a regular schedule every Friday, especially when trying to coordinate fieldwork. So I think we'll try something a little different and call it the monthly report and basically update it as the seasons change. What follows is a report of early summer options for paddlers in Western Washington (the next update will feature late summer options).

Conditions

Flying over the Cascades a couple of weeks ago I saw what should be obvious to everyone by now–the snowmelt is done and we're transitioning into the glacier melt phase. What started out as a great snowpack last winter kind of fizzled out through the spring as the snowpack stopped building in early spring and we dropped below 100% of normal. Not a total bust but not what we had hoped either.

Options for July

Local Seattle-area paddlers can always have a great day on the Skykomish. It will drop through the next couple weeks but it's always a great day on the river and should be fun through at least the first half of July. For creekers, in the basin, the Top Tye is loosing water fast but you still might be able to have some fun on it for a few more days. A better option will be Tumwater Canyon on the other side of the mountains. It's still a little juicy but offers some great class V bigwater rapids; it will come down and by late July or early August to levels more suitable for those looking for fun class IV+ with great weather.

The Cascade has dropped down to a nice level since late June, and I know folks were out on the 27th with 3/4 screen showing. This will be a good run to hit for the next couple weeks and the folks at the hatchery can provide you with the level (maybe designate one person in the group to call so we're not harassing them too much).

The Upper Upper Cispus is a bit on the high side but keep an eye on it to come in over the next couple weeks. You could also hit the nearby Ohanepecosh, one of the states's most scenic creek runs. It should be good through much of July.

Down south, the White Salmon is a great option and it generally stays at a decent level through July and August. There are several sections offering great boating for intermediate to experts. Paddle For Your Life will be hosting a fundraiser picnic on the river on July 17th.

If you're looking for an expedition, one of Washington's finest hike-in trips, the Elwha, is just coming into range. It appears that this will be an early year for this run. Expect it to be at moderate levels within the next could weeks.

Intermediate paddlers have a few options other than the Sky. The Elwha between the dams will be decent for another few weeks although at lower flows it's primarily a scenic float. One your best options is to head north to Canada. The Nahatlatch has been a little high but it's just now coming into a great range of flows and should stay that way through the month of August. You can squeak a few more days out of the Methow, but catch it quick. Although a little short, the NF Nooksack is always a fun option. If you're up for it the best way to run this is to put-in and run the Horseshoe Bend section. Of course you can still have a couple more weekends of fun on the Wenatchee.

Events

A work party to improve address erosion issues and improve access at the old Mine Creek Campground (aka Island Drop) on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie is planned for July 10th from 9 am to 3 pm.