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Sauk (IV)

Description: The river is protected as a scenic river, banks and surrounding ridges are thickly forested and there are almost no signs of civilzation on this section. During runoff, the river is fed by glacier and snow melt so water is very cold! The upper part of the trip is continuous whitewater excitement with class III and IV rapids such as Alligator Drop, Jaws (Demon Seed), Whirlpool(Headwall), and Popeye, the lower parts eases up slightly, for a total of 8 river miles (to Backman Park) or 10 river miles (if you take out at the 'Sawmill' bridge). About 3 miles from the end is a highly recommended left turn up Clear Creek to view the scenery.

Because the US Forest Service is treating BEWET as a pseudo-commercial outfitter for this river, the club does not have regularly scheduled trips on it. Most trips on the Sauk are private oarboats or catarafts. Renting a raft from the club and transporting it yourself circumvents this problem. This is a great river for tuning up your rowing skills. It's got a relatively long boating season if you like winter boating...

Reading the gauges: The Sauk above Whitechuck is just the flow from the Upper Sauk. The Middle Sauk flow is the sum of the Sauk above Whitechuck and the Whitechuck River flow. The Sauk at Sauk is the flow from the Upper Sauk, the Whitechuck, the Suiattle, Clear Creek, and all of the various smaller creeks that come in in the 35 miles between the two gauges.

Directions: I-5 North to exit 208. Take WA 530 to Darrington. In Darrington, turn right at the stop sign (the only one) onto Mt. Loop Highway. The left turn to the put-in is just after the bridge crosses the Upper Sauk.

Oct. 2003 flooding pretty much destroyed the Whitechuck access bridge but it's been rebuilt as of 2010.

Accommodations: Camping at White Chuck Campground (Put-in)