| Granite Creek/Ruby Creek — 2. Beebe Creek to Panther Creek™ © |
Class IV
5Miles
Avg Gradient 148 fpm
Max Gradient 200 fpm
Play Rating (1-10): 6
River Mapplet
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Gauge Information (Professor Paddle updated levels from METHOW RIVER NEAR PATEROS, WA at 4/20/2024 6:39:52 AM)
| Gauge |
Forecast |
Height |
Current Flow |
Authority |
Physical Update |
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METHOW RIVER NEAR PATEROS, WA
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n/a |
4.09 |
2530 cfs
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USGS - NWIS |
04-20-2024 06:15:00 |
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Minimum Recomended Level: 3000 cfs Maximum Recomended Level: 6000 cfs
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AccessGranite and Ruby run alongside the scenic North Cascades Highway (Hwy 20), which is closed in winter, making this a late spring/early summer run. Coming from the west side, you'll reach the takeout first, which is at the East Bank trailhead (Hwy 20 mile 138.3). The takeout is at a footbridge, takeout on river left and carry up the trail. Continuing up the highway after 2.9 miles you'll reach another large parking area at the confluence of Canyon and Granite creeks (the Canyon Creek trailhead at Hwy. 20 mile 141.2). This can be used as a put-in for running a shorter run on Ruby Creek or as a take-out for doing short laps on Granite. A couple more miles up the highway at a large turnout (Hwy. 20 mile 143.1) is the put-in for Granite. |
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Other IssuesThis run is prone to wood hazards. Scout as much as you can from the road.
NOTES ON LEVELS:
The Methow at Pateros is used here as a reference as there is no gage operating on Granite, and the Methow is often used to get an idea of the flow on Granite. Around 3000 on this gage is usually runnable, but at the low end. At 6000 the creek is usually pretty juicy. It can be run higher but gets very continuous with some big hydraulics. It can also be run a bit lower, especially on Ruby, which is about twice the size of Granite.
The Methow gage is defintiely not a direct correlation, its just the best option at this point, so be sure to make a visual check on the level. Look for flows of 300-700 cfs (on Granite-- flow on Ruby with be approx. double) during the later part of spring snow melt.
Also note, Granite/Ruby seems to hold water later into the season than the Methow. For instance, in July 2010 we had 3500 cfs on the Methow gauge and a very nice medium flow on Granite/Ruby... approx. 400 on Granite and 700 on Ruby. Whereas, on an early (April) trip we had 3000 on the gague and Granite was too low and Ruby was about minimum (400ish). Hopefully one day we'll get a gauge on this creek!
Also, since this is a west side run, fall rain runs may be possible too if you get in before they close the North Cascade Highway for the Winter. |
Fun FactsBeautiful North Cascades creek (river) |
Run Description [Season: late spring/early summer]Granite/Ruby is an excellent run for late in the spring snowmelt season. In many years it is runnable into July. The first 2 miles of this run on Granite Creek are steep with a gradient in the neighborhood of 200 fpm and filled with nearly continuous class 3 and 4 rapids with one long class 4+ which can be scouted from the road. When you arrive at the confluence with Canyon Creek the flow doubles and the creek is renamed Ruby Creek, and is really more of a river than a creek, especially as flows increase. Ruby is not as steep as Granite, but is still quite continuous with a gradient in the 100 fpm range. Ruby starts out with class 2 rapids and builds up momentum downstream and flows through many fun boulder gardens at low water, big wave trains and a few big holes at high water. The rapids are mostly class 3, but some push class 4 at higher levels, and continue right up to the take-out below Panther Creek.
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