Upper Tieton
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| Put-in: |
Rimrock |
| Take-out: |
Windy Point Campground |
| Difficulty: |
Class III - III+
|
| Length: |
11.5 miles |
Lower Tieton
|
| Put-in: |
Windy Point Campground |
| Take-out: |
Naches River Confluence |
| Difficulty: |
Class II+
|
| Length: |
8.5 miles |
|
The Tieton River rises from the snowfields of the Goat Rocks Wilderness and flows down into a large earthen dam to become Rimrock Lake. The dam is released by the BLM in September every year, producing fourteen miles of narrow and swift Class III+ whitewater heading towards Naches River. The water is usually quite warm, and September is a perfect time of year to enjoy Yakima Valley’s Indian summer.
Boaters will enjoy beautiful fall foliage and towering ponderosa pines. The shore is lined with unique oak forests and huge basalt cliffs and paddlers will rush through a flooded canyon with narrow chutes, roller coaster waves and steep gradients.
Some boaters may choose to run the 5.7 mile stretch above Rimrock Lake which features challenging Class IVs and Vs, many of which must be scouted before the trip. The more popular section, from Rimrock to Windy Point Campground, features fabulous whitewater, but may not be the wilderness experience that more veteran boaters are seeking. There is a large, river wide dam that may intimidate new boaters.
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