Trip Report
Samish River: Belfast to Edison
220 CFS was a good level. This was a very nice upper body and aerobic workout under a tree canopy and through the fields on an otherwise dreary day.
Logan DeGrand
- Sat, Nov 22, 2025
- Samish River: Belfast to Edison
- Packrafting
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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We had two portages for wood. We also seesawed over a couple riverwide smooth logs and picked our way through a couple strainer branches. The flow was gentle enough that it was not threatening. Gauge was reading 217-229 cfs while we were on the water. It rained a little but but we hardly noticed wearing dry suits. A good wide brim rain hat was key.
This was the tale of two rivers. The first half we meandered down a narrow channel on clear water, catching unique views into the backyards of several riverfront homes, under the tree canopy, and over many downed trees. The second half opened up into vast wide open fields going down brown water, blanketed by the pleasant scent of the seasalt air.
We saw some gigantic bald eagles and a couple giant Great Blue Heron, some seagulls, and songbirds. We heard frogs but didn't see them. There was a bunny in the bushes where we stopped for lunch. A harbor seal escorted us down the final mile or so. Once we neared the take out bridge we saw a couple more seals. They surely were feeding on the last of the salmon run. We came across and over many salmon carcasses.
Above, doing the seesaw technique over a riverwide log.
Above, picking our way through a dense strainer in the very gentle flow. Below, our lunch spot up on the grassy levee next to a rabbit warren.
