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SKYKOMISH RIVER JOURNEYS

The Skykomish River was selected in 1977 as the first river in Washington’s Scenic Rivers Program. There are 67 contiguous channels and riparian corridors that comprise this exceptionally beautiful river. Its crystal green waters flow through a steep forested valley beneath spectacular 6,000 foot snowcapped mountains and jagged peaks. Along the moss covered banks there are ancient fir and hemlock rising between stands of alder and cottonwood. The name “Skykomish” means “the inland people”, the first inhabitants of the region. The “Sky Valley” is also home to thundering waterfalls awesome granite gorges and some of the Pacific Northwest’s wildest and most scenic river rafting experiences.

At Chinook Expeditions, we offer a variety of whitewater rafting trips and natural history float tours on the Skykomish River. We design and guide custom river journeys that challenge 20 miles of Washington’s most exciting whitewater rapids on the legendary Skykomish. We also conduct relaxing scenic float tours where we drift down calm sections of the river looking for wildlife and just enjoying the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. Our specialty is in combining two or three days of rafting different sections of the river with camping, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Join us for a day or a weekend and experience one of the most rewarding and inspiring outdoor adventures offered anywhere in Washington.

Our highly experienced trip leaders run regularly scheduled voyages on the Skykomish River year-round. The skill and professionalism of our veteran guides allow people from all walks of life to participate in our trips. All of our adventures emphasize small groups, safety and ecological responsibility. We are local guides well educated in the geological and natural history of the “Sky” valley. Our guiding philosophy is based on having fun and providing experiences beyond your expectations. As your personal guides, we offer opportunities to discover and explore places that other people may not even know about. We know the Skykomish at all levels, so when you want to challenge the biggest whitewater or have a great time in the lowest of water levels, we’ll give you the gusto. Our two decades of professional rafting experience inspires confidence and an organized atmosphere.

As you reserve a trip everything is provided for you. All of our trips include one of Washington’s most experienced guides in each 14’ self-bailing paddle or oar raft. We provide all your river safety equipment, wetsuits and transportation from our meeting site. Midway during your trip you’ll be treated to our world famous riverside feast at a beautiful beach near our half way point. On overnighters we provide all kitchen and camp gear, plentiful meals, cooking, campfire entertainment and comfortable accommodations. We take pride in offering our guests the highest quality river journeys with maximum river time. We guarantee whichever trip you choose will be a convenient and cost effective vacation, as well as an adventure worth repeating.

ONE DAY WHITEWATER

Index to Gold Bar 10 miles, 5+ hours

$118.00 Per person

Our ONE-DAY whitewater trips originate in the historical river town of Index. Rendezvous time on the day of your trip is 9:00 am at the Chinook River Center next to the Index Cafe. To get there, follow Highway #2 to the junction of the Index/Galena Road eight miles east of the town of Gold Bar (The Mt. Index Cafe is a good landmark to look for on the left). The Café has fresh coffee and great breakfasts, if you arrive early. Allow 1.5 hours driving time from the Seattle area or 3.5 hours from Vancouver, B.C.

We will greet you and your group and briefly discuss our itinerary and logistics (where to park and change clothes, etc.) Before each trip we require each participant to sign an assumption of risk and liability release form. From here, depending on the water level, we’ll provide transportation to our launch point.

At the river we will stow your personal gear into dry containers and instruct you on safety procedures and rafting techniques. This orientation is important to ensure a fun, safe and comfortable adventure. Each raft is captained by an experienced professional guide and holds up to six passengers. As we develop rapport and practice paddling maneuvers you’ll gain an appreciation for our skills and your own abilities within a short time on the water.

The North Fork of the Skykomish River is a great place to test our paddling muscles and synchronize our teamwork. Our first rapid is the Class III Llamas Ledge. Within a mile, we will approach the end of the North Fork. As we drop into the deep emerald pools at our confluence with the South Fork, there are commanding views of the 6,000 foot peaks of Mt. Index and Mt. Persis above us and upstream to our left are the Merchant and Gunn peaks with Mt. Baring in the background.

We feel the powerful pull in the river’s volume and look for osprey and deer along the shore. This is a good opportunity to take a few pictures and learn about local history. The next rapids are called Garbage and Anderson Creek. Down river, you’ll see house-size granite boulders in the entrance of the legendary Boulder Drop rapid. We stop to scout this Class IV and sometimes Class V rapid from the rocks on shore. We discuss our routes through the rapid and prepare to challenge Washington’s most famous rapid. After a couple more rapids, called The Wier, Bonzai and Lunch Hole, we stop for our mid-day lunch break.

Your guides will treat you to hors d’oeuvres of smoked oysters, tortilla chips and salsa, cheese and crackers and gorp. Hot soup, coffee and spiced cider accompany our banquet style selection of hams, cheeses and world famous River Guacamole. Whole grain breads, pitas and bagels are served with all the condiments, relishes, cream cheese, peanut butter and jelly. Snickers and homemade cookies top off our normal lunch menu. On cool or rainy days, a hot fire is made and a rain fly is suspended overhead. During our stop, we sometimes go fishing or teach our guests how to pan for gold. You can explore the pools up the beach or just lounge in the sand at the river’s edge.

Eventually, we continue on our journey and focus our attention on the whitewater around the corner. Back on the river, we ride some more fun rapids down to the “Split Rock Canyon” and on to the “Railroad Bridge” and “Fishermen’s” rapids. As we drift into the afternoon, the rapids become easier and the valley opens into the coastal plain. We may stop to explore a small tributary in a setting of lime green moss and bordered with thick salmon berries. Around 3:30pm we reach our take-out site. We’ll load up the rafts and stow the equipment in the van or bus and drive back to your cars. ETA: 4:00pm.

After your trip, you’ll find local hospitality and refreshments in the town of Index. At Chinook Expeditions, we specialize in sunset barbeques, campfire entertainment and comfortable accommodations. Our most popular trips are overnighters. Join us for two days of rafting on the Skykomish River and maximize your adventure. We provide everything you’ll need.

Natural History / Wildlife Float Tour

Family Class I-II upper Skykomish River

$85.00 Per Person

East of the town of Skykomish, the Beckler and the Tye Rivers join to form the South Fork of the Skykomish. This enchanting section of the river is surrounded by the awesome mountain views and located at the gateway to the Central Cascades. Flowing swiftly above the gravel bottom , the river is just deep enough to float our touring rafts and eventually we drift into deep emerald pools as we begin a day of adventure and scenic river touring. Wildlife such as water birds, deer, beaver, otter, and coyotes can be seen on this trip and once we saw a cougar at our previous day’s lunch site! This is also a great family rafting trip with fast enough water in some places to splash the rafts when more excitement is required and plenty of time to swim along the way. This is mostly a fun and beautiful float trip designed to offer a relaxing ride and a great riverside lunch at our halfway stop. We pan for gold and garnets and sometimes fish during lunch. In the afternoon we photograph the awe inspiring Mt. Index. Sometimes, we play in the shallow boulder gardens and explore side creeks and simply enjoy the natural beauty of the Upper Skykomish Valley.

The Upper Skykomish rendezvous is at the Der Baring Store at 9:00am. To get there from the west follow Highway 2 and the Skykomish river upriver toward the town of Skykomish. About 4 miles beyond the turn-off to Index, you’ll have passed by Eagle Falls Gorge and the King County Marker sign. The first establishment on your right is the Der Baring store and Post Office. Great coffee/latte’s and restrooms are available as we meet and discuss our logistics and last minute business. From here, you should be dressed in your river clothes and we’ll fit you with booties as we organize to leave then we gather up your personal gear, park your cars and you’ll ride with us to the put-in/launch site upstream at Skykomish. We’re on the river about 10:00am and back to your cars around 2:30-3:00pm.

GROUP TOUR SPECIAL:

SKYKOMISH TO MONEY CREEK

2 HOURS / 5 MILES $45.00 PER PERSON

ONE DAY FLOAT TRIP:

BECKLER RIVER TO BARING

5 HOURS / 10 MILES $ 85.00 PER PERSON LUNCH INCLUDED

TWO DAY OVERNIGHTER:

$280.00 Per Person

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

· Highly trained and friendly professional guides and staff. We are a local company and specialize on the Skykomish River. Our reputation and skills are highly regarded by our clients and other outfitters who know the Sky. 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 with foot straps, first aid, and repair kits.

· Waterproof bags and camera boxes.

· 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.

· Trip organizer kits including restaurants, lodging and camping information.

· Action photos and video available.

· Chinook Expedition t-shirts and 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.

· Rendezvous information and road map.

Click here to reserve a trip on line

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 to the Skykomish Valley.

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

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