Tumwater Canyon
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| Put-in: |
Tumwater Campground |
| Take-out: |
Fisherman's Wenatchee River Access and Boat Ramp |
| Difficulty: |
Class IV - V+, (P)
|
| Length: |
7.5 miles |
Leavenworth to Monitor
|
| Put-in: |
Fisherman's Wenatchee River Access and Boat Ramp |
| Take-out: |
Wenatchee River County Park |
| Difficulty: |
Class III
|
| Length: |
18 miles |
Peshastin to Cashmere
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| Put-in: |
Peshastin Creek |
| Take-out: |
Cashmere |
| Difficulty: |
Class II, III
|
| Length: |
10 miles |
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The Wenatchee River is one of the most popular boating trips in the state due to the beautiful scenery, consistently sunny weather, and the multitude of experiences that are available for every level of boater – from the Class V+ kayaker to the small child in a raft for the first time. In late May and early June the river is at its highest and the rapids feel like wave-filled roller coaster rides. In July and August the river mellows considerably and boaters can just relax and take in the surrounding landscape.
The most popular section begins in the alpine setting of the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, characterized by Ponderosa Pines and Doug Fir. The river meanders past apple and pear orchards and into a semi-desert as it reaches the Columbia River at Wenatchee.
Expert boaters who wish to take their lives into their own hands may attempt the Tumwater Canyon section, which is known as big, powerful and intimidating. At high waters the explosive rapids become a series of stormy Class VIs. This section is a great showcase for expert kayaker, as tourists are known to gather at the guardrail on Hwy. 2 near Leavenworth to watch the scene.
A much more mellow alternative is the Wenatchee Lake to Tumwater Campground stretch that drifts by vacation cabins, steep sandstone cliffs, and finally stands of ponderosa pine and large cottonwoods. Paddlers might see a variety of wildlife including blue heron, eagle, deer and the occasional black bear.
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