Suiattle, Washington, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | II-III (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 12.7 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 30 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAUK RIVER NEAR SAUK, WA | ||||
| usgs-12189500 | 3330 - 6670 cfs | II-III | 00h56m | 3460 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) |
FUN FACT: Unique as one of the most intact river systems in Western Washington. Opportunities for an overnight trip.
SEASON: You can find boatable flows throughout the year but the river is particularly popular during the summer when glacier melt keeps the river running longer than other nearby runs. If you're looking for an endless supply of big wave trains check this run out after several days of hot weather just after peak flows on the Sauk have passed.
ACCESS: For the most recent road and river information check the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest web site (check forest road conditions for Darrington District), or call the Darrington Ranger District at (360) 436-1155 .
DESCRIPTION:
GAUGE: There is no gauge on the Suiattle but since this river is a tributary to the Sauk you can get an idea of what the flows are by checking the Sauk at Sauk gauge downstream of the confluence. Although the Suiattle represents approximately 40% of the flows on this gauge, the relationship changes over the course of the water year. Because the Suiattle is fed by glacier melt in late summer it will contribute a greater percentage of the flow to the Sauk during the summer months and somewhat less through the winter and early spring. You can estimate this relative contribution by also checking the Sauk above Whitechuck gauge which is upstream of the confluence with the Suiattle.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAUK RIVER NEAR SAUK, WA | ||||||||||||
| usgs-12189500 | 3330 - 6670 cfs | II-III | 00h56m | 3460 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6y279d11h40m | Suiattle [WA] |
Rat Trap Bridge
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n/a | Thomas O'Keefe |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 | Rabbit Skull | IV |  |
Letter to Mount Baker - National Forest regarding impacts of October 2003 floods.
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2. Rat Trap (FR 25) Bridge to Sauk River, Suiattle Washington, US (mobile)
User Comments
there are no problems with logs - the bottom section is surprisingly clean and has very few braids.
At lower flows, there may be some blocked channels in the first couple of miles, but you should
have plenty of warning. The put-in at Rat Trap Bridge is now completely different from the photo.
Logs piled up at the far end of what is left of the bridge, and pushed the channel to the right.
The put-in is now at the base of the bridge on river right. Note that in the summer there are
people who use the bridge for camping (at least until the commercial groups annoy them enough to
wisen them up).
wouldn't suggest using a hard shell due to shallow<br>
water. All but one feature had lines clear of wood and<br>
easy to boat scout except one: When you see a land<br>
slide on river left (trees laying down on the hill) get<br>
out and scout. A log blocks the only entrance deep<br>
enough to run the upper portion of the rapid. We<br>
portaged and put in just above the main part of the<br>
drop. The last few miles are butt-scootchin' with a lot<br>
of paddling. Definitely worth the trip. *Sauk at Sauk<br>
was 1300 cfs*.