Methow (IV) - 2011 Trip Packet

Methow River 2011

May 21st & 22nd

Trip Leader

Contact: Matthew Martens
Mail Code: 86-37 (Evan Hanneman)
Cell number: (425) 736-0471
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

River/Trip Stats:

Miles on river 0 Miles ? ? ?
Appx hrs on river 3+ hrs ? ? ?
Drive Time 3+ hrs

River Description:

From McFarland Creek Access to Pateros “Black Canyon”.  The Methow offers some excellent scenery of the Okanagon Territory, but most importantly, it contains one of the best stretches of paddle boat whitewater in the entire state.
The lower section below Methow has many powerful Class 3 rapids and one Class 4 drop.
The Black Canyon Rapids are where Black Canyon Creek joins the Methow River. There is a substantial drop next to a sheer 100+ foot bluff. The identifying trademark of Black Canyon Rapids is a river hydraulic (hole) named Greyhound (seemingly large enough to swallow a bus).
Other rapids include: Bridge Rapids, Another Roadside Attraction, Corner Rapids, Staircase and Engle's Slide.

Pre-Trip Work Party:

The pre-trip work party will be on Thursday May 19th at 5:30pm at the Club Garage.
Since BEWET is a club and not a commercial outfitter we are able to provide Rafting services fairly inexpensively. We are able to do this because we rely on our members and their guests to support the club by helping to share the work involved. By sharing the load, we reduce the burden on club organizers and guides. You can help. Before each trip, we tune up our equipment to insure that it is in good working condition. You are not required to have any prior knowledge or experience, just be willing to help. The tasks you will be assigned will be doable by you. We have Work Party Captains whose job it is to decide what tasks need to be done and to instruct on how to do it. If you are willing to help, please contact your Trip Leader. Work parties are a good place to meet other club members and to learn about club equipment.

Driving Directions:

Your destination is near Pateros, WA.
Follow I-90 East over Snoqualmie Pass to Hwy.97.
Follow Hwy.97 over Blewett Pass to Hwy.2.
Follow Hwy.2 (east) to Wenatchee.
note: Hwy.2/Hwy.97 cross the Columbia River just before Wenatchee. Follow Hwy. signs in order to cross the Columbia.
Turn north (left) at the traffic light on the east side of the Columbia and travel north on Hwy.151.
Hwy.151 will cross back over the river and intersect Hwy.97.
Travel north on Hwy.97 toward Pateros.
Just before Pateros, turn left on Hwy.153.
Travel about 4 miles on Hwy.153 to the turnoff for Alta Lake State Park.
Warning: Hwy.2 between Leavenworth and Wenatchee is closely monitored.
DO NOT EXCEED THE SPEED LIMIT.

Camping:

At our reserved group campsite at Alta Lake State Park
Alta Lake State Park is part of the Washington State Park system. Group campsite fees are: ($3.00/person/night -or- $15.00/rv/night). There are shower facilities. The town of Pateros is close and has most services. Drinking water is located at the campground.

Dress:

Always be prepared. Bring all your cool weather gear-just in case! Even on warm or hot sunny days wetsuits and booties (while not required) are the standard apparel of whitewater rafting. You can rent a farmer-john style wetsuit and neoprene booties from local dive shops. Poly-pro with a windbreaker is a good alternative.
In the early season, bring wool socks to wear inside your booties. Under your wet suit wear a quick-drying swimsuit or lycra shorts and top. Over your wetsuit, plan to wear wool, polypropylene or nylon pile. Don't wear cotton shirts or sweatshirts. They hold the cold water and chill you through.
Add layers for the coldest conditions. Your outer layer should be a paddling jacket or nylon windbreaker, rain jacket or mountain parka. You may want to bring a ziplock bag to store any small items that need to stay dry. Hats are also great in maintaining body heat. It has been an involuntary tradition to occasionally lose a hat or sunglasses to the river, so bring eye-glass retainer cords (croakies) just in case.
Sunscreen and chap stick are always good items to bring.

It is the responsibility of the rafter to rent a wetsuit or dry suit before the trip and bring it on the trip. Most wet suits can be rented for $15-30 for the weekend.
Suggested rental locations can be found on the BEWET website at the following link: http://bewet.org/wetsuit.htm

Schedule:

Friday

• Drive to campsite
• Campfire (if allowed)

Saturday

• 9:30am Arrive at put-in
• 10:15am Run Shuttle
• 11:00 Launch
• 2-3:00pm Arrive at take-out
• 5:30pm – Pot luck and BBQ. Bring something to BBQ and your favorite dish to share with the group.
• Campfire (if allowed)

Sunday

• 9:30am Arrive at put-in
• 10:15am Run Shuttle
• 11:00 Launch
• 2-3:00pm Arrive at take-out

Shuttle:

There will be a Shuttle Coordinator designated by the Trip Leader who will organize the shuttle and lead drivers to the Take-Out.

Raft Assignments:

Assignments will be coordinated at the put-in.

River Food:

No alcohol is permitted on the river.
We will probably not stop for lunch on the river so plan on bringing food that can be consumed on the river. Glass bottles are not allowed on the river.

Camp Food:

There is going to be a pot luck and bbq back at camp.  Bring something to grill for yourself and your favorite dish (be creative) to share with the group.