Suiattle River Journeys

With Chinook Expeditions

The Suiattle River is a great river to explore later in the season when warm summer months melt the headwaters on the snowfields of Glacier Peak.  This river is protected as a scenic river under the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers act and is a good place to spot deer, waterfowl and even an occasional bear.  The banks are thickly forested and there are almost no signs of civilization between the put-in and the take-out.  It is the traditional home of the Suiattle Indian Tribe and there are still ancient village sites not far from the river.  Great mountain scenery, waterfalls, and geological change make this a unique river experience. 

Suiattle translated from the native language means "powder or white water".  The milky appearance of the water is the result of glacial silt called Gneiss.  As the glaciers grind against Graphite Mountains, the ice wears the rock down to a fine powder.  The cold mixture of ice and powder flows into local streams through the months of July, August and September.  The rapids consist of splashy slides over continually changing gravel beds, and maneuvering rafts around tight corners and towering logjams that course the river. While at lunch there are big sandy beaches to explore, and discover the footprints of wildlife that have been there before us. This is a great trip for families and offers challenging and fun Class II and III whitewater and some of Washington's best natural history adventures.

Join us for one day of wilderness rafting fun or spend two days exploring the Suiattle from its headwaters for an overnight river camping trip. Our three-day wilderness expeditions combine three rivers that flow into one another, and will take you from the headwaters of the Suiattle to its confluence with the Sauk River, and continue on to the Skagit River.  Detailed information and itinerary are available.            

THREE DAY WILDERNESS EXPEDITION  $379.00 per person

TWO DAY OVERNIGHT RIVER TRIP      $250.00 per person

ONE DAY WHITEWATER TRIP          $89.00 per person

Discounts for mid-week trips, kids under 12 and groups.

Trip departures July through August

Call now to reserve July and August on the Suiattle.

Information and Booking Call Chinook Expeditions 

1-800-241-3451

P.O. Box 256 Index, Washington 98256

sturnbull@earthlink.net 

Click to view photo gallery of Suiattle and Sauk Rivers

At Chinook Expeditions we provide the following on all our Trips:

·        Highly trained and friendly professional guides and staff. Our reputation and skills are highly regarded by our clients and other outfitters. We are certified in First Aid, CPR, Swift water Rescue. Chinook Expeditions holds permits from Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, Department of Wildlife and Washington State Parks. Chinook Expeditions is a member of Worldwide Guides and Outfitters Association and Professional River Outfitters of Washington.

·        We provide state of the art river and safety equipment, including self-bailing rafts, first aid, and repair kits.

·        Waterproof bags.

·        USCG  High float Lifejackets and whitewater helmets.

·        Comfortable farmer john style wetsuits and river booties.

·        Hearty riverside feast prepared fresh and with hot drinks, eating utensils and mugs.

·        Van or bus shuttle from our rendezvous.

·        Definitely the longest trip on the river.

·        Chinook Expedition handmade art available.

·        Warming fire and shelter at lunch.

·        Gold pans and sometimes a fishing pole.

·        Limited supply of warm wool or synthetic sweaters and rain coats.

You need to bring:

·        Swimsuit or lightweight shorts or tights (lycra or nylon) for under wetsuit.

·        Polar fleece, acrylic or wool sweater (warm when wet).

·        Wool or nylon socks (for inside booties).

·        Rain or splash jacket and pants.

·        Extra sweater and warm hat (for colder days).

·        Complete change of clothes for after the trip.

·        Plastic bag for wet clothes.

·        Retainer or string for glasses.

·        Camera or video.

·        Sunscreen or sun block and sunglasses.

Reservations require a 50% deposit, and balance is due one week prior to departure unless other arrangements are made. We take Visa and Master Cards.

If you need to cancel your trip, we will ‘rain check’ you for another day or refund all but 20 % of the deposit, however, a notice of less than 24 hours will receive no refund. We reserve the right to change or cancel a trip due to unsafe river conditions and will reschedule you or refund all fees. Please note that although gray clouds may swirl in from the Pacific, rain and forecasts are not a good reason to cancel a tour. In fact we find that rain or snow often adds a certain mystique 

10% discount for midweek trips. Every seventh person on the same ticket goes free. All taxes included.

Chinook Expeditions is a member of Worldwide Guides and Outfitters Association and Professional River Outfitters of Washington.

We hold Special Use Permits from Mt. Baker / Snoqualmie National Forest and Dept. of Wildlife.  We are an equal opportunity provider.

1-800-241-3451   P/O BOX 256  INDEX, WASHINGTON  98256