Sauk River: Bedal Campground to White Chuck River
Packraft an intimate, remote, and beautiful river section in the North Cascades near Glacier Peak and the Mountain Loop Highway.
Flow
- NOAA Gauge: SAUK--ABOVE WHITE CHUCK (WCHW1)
- 1,000 - 5,000 cfs: Runnable.
Put-Ins
- Bedal Campground: Before crossing the North Fork Sauk River bridge, the Bedal Campground is on the right and a small parking area for about 6 cars is on the left. Park on the left and carry boats to the launch below the bridge. There are toilets in the campground.
Take-Outs
- White Chuck Boat Launch: Turn onto Forest Road 22, cross the White Chuck River bridge, and find parking for about 12 cars and bathrooms.
On the River
From Bedal, the river is small and intimate. It is continually active Class II with some Class III drops, mostly gravel bar but with some boulders. The most difficult rapid, Rock Road, is at the end. It starts with a left bend forming a wave train which leads into a few drops. The last section drops through several boulders to a pool below the Mountain Loop Highway bridge. The White Chuck river and takeout is just downstream.
Notes
- In early 2021 there were reports that floods had carved a new channel through the forest.
- Because there is no cell phone coverage along the Sauk River it is common to meet in Darrington.
- Learn more on American Whitewater's Sauk: 1 - Bedal Campground to Whitechuck River (Upper).
- Suitable Activities: Packrafting
- Seasons: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Class III River
- Length: 8.6 mi
- 1,283 ft
-
Land Manager:
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Darrington Ranger District (MBSNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- Green Trails Mountain Loop Highway No. 111SX
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