| Skokomish, N. Fork — 1. Seven Stream to Staircase™ © |
Class V+
5.6Miles
Avg Gradient 121 fpm
Max Gradient 215 fpm
River Mapplet
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GPS/GIS |
Maps |
| Zip Code : |
98548 |
General Area |
| Put In Longitude : |
-123.37712 |
Putin |
| Put In Latitude : |
47.5705605 |
| Take Out Longitude : |
-123.33039 |
Take Out |
| Take Out Latitude : |
47.5156746 |
| County : |
Mason |
Shuttle
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Gauge Information (Professor Paddle updated levels from NF SKOKOMISH R BL STAIRCASE R at 4/19/2024 12:39:01 PM)
| Gauge |
Forecast |
Height |
Current Flow |
Authority |
Physical Update |
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NF SKOKOMISH R BL STAIRCASE R
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n/a |
3.63 |
326 cfs
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USGS - NWIS |
04-19-2024 12:00:00 |
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Minimum Recomended Level: 450 cfs Maximum Recomended Level: 600 cfs
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Putin DetailsThis run involves a 6 mile hike up to the put in along the trail from staircase. Not wanting to miss out on more potential whitewater further up from Seven Stream, we hiked at least a total of 8 miles. Maybe nine. We found an extra canyon, but it didn't have much in terms of extra, runnable whitewater. So unless you want to be a real animal and hike much further up still, it's quite safe to say this: Hike up to the foot bridge that crosses the N. Frk Skokomish, and just put in there. It's about a six mile hike, and you'll have a full plate of class V whitewater for a complete day. Get an early start. We left the trail head at 8am and got off the river back at Staircase at the very end of the day (in June when the days are long). Granted you'll be cutting out the extra miles of hiking and loggy class II we found upstream of the footbridge, but it'll still be a long trip.
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Takeout DetailsTake out on the R. Left side of the bridge at Staircase. |
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Other Issuesapparently this river can flash quite suddenly, so take the weather forcasts into account if you're going to hike into this very remote, wilderness run. |
Fun FactsThis run greatly changes character throughout its 6 mile length. By the time you get to the huge drops for which Staircase gets its name, it seems like a totally different river. |
Run DescriptionIt's very narrow at the beginning, and the eddies seem so full of gravel that it can be hard to gain purchase in them as you eddy hop. There is a combination of bigger, gnarlier drops (some of which you will certainly want to walk around), as well as some very technical and intricate class V. There's also quite a bit of read 'n run class IV+.
Between the upper canyon(s) and the Staircase section, there is a log choked class VI that is a bitch to portage. Be sure to see the tell tale signs of landslide debris on R. Left that signals the portage on that side of the river- the right side is completely walled in.
Save some energy when you get to Staircase, because you'll have to pick off portions of those drops and rapids - there's some marginally runnable stuff and a few really sweet lines as well. If it's been a long day this section will seem to loom huge as you get tired and ready to be off the river, and there's still plenty of wood to portage here and there, as with most runs in the Pacific Northwest, not to mention the OP.
Stay tuned for a T.R. on this page as well as a more thorough description.
This is certainly a worth while trip for ambitious class V creekboaters.
~ jP
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