Sauk (IV) - 2011 Trip Packet

Sauk River 2011

May 14th

Guides and guide trainees only

Trip Leader

Contact: Darren Hales
Mail Code: 2H-38
Cell number: (206)227-0014
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

River/Trip Stats:

Miles on river 10 Miles ? ? ?
Appx hrs on river 3-4 hrs ? ? ?
Drive Time 2:00

River Description:

The river is protected as a scenic river, banks and surrounding ridges are thickly forested and there are almost no signs of civilization 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 oar boats 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.

Pre-Trip Work Party:

The pre-trip work party will be the Wednesdayy before the trip at 6:00pm 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:

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.

Camping:

White Chuck campground is near the put-in but no group plans are in place since this is a Saturday only run.

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 can be an alternative.

In the early season, bring wool socks to wear inside your booties. Under your wetsuit wear a quick-drying swimsuit or lyrca 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 ziploc bag to store any small items that need to stay dry. Hats are also great in maintaining body heat. Also, if you wear glasses, be sure to bring a “croakie” to protect them from being washed off your head.
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

• 8:00am Arrive at put-in in Darrington.  Plan to meet near the bridge on Mt. Loop Highway that crosses the Sauk River.
• 9:15am Run Shuttle
• 10:00 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.