Whitewater Forum: Bellingham paddling advice, this fri/sat

Bellingham paddling advice, this fri/sat

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Category: General
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URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12094
Printed Date: 20 Sep 2025 at 11:58am

Topic: Bellingham paddling advice, this fri/sat

Posted By: jhoff
Subject: Bellingham paddling advice, this fri/sat
Date Posted: 24 May 2012 at 1:24pm

Hey all,

I'm headed up to Bellingham this weekend to participate in the Ski to Sea relay. I'm the only paddler on my team, but I was hoping to get some kayaking in anyway. My plan's to head to the NF Nooksack on friday afternoon and try to throw something together, but I'd prefer to have something more definite in place before making the drive.

I've never been up there before, so any suggestions re: rivers would be welcome. I was just going to bring creeking gear, and I'd prefer IV, IV+, and easy V.

Also, if anyone has any intel on free camping up that way, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!
John

Replies:

Posted By: justin
Date Posted: 24 May 2012 at 1:41pm

Try to PM zenofww he's got that area dialed.

Posted By: Hilneevel
Date Posted: 24 May 2012 at 3:32pm

The horseshoe bend section (Nooksack falls to Doug. fir campground) should be at a good level. It's easy to scout the hardest rapids by hiking up a trail on river right from the take out. I'd recommend running all the way down through the lower, class 3 "canyon" section to Glacier. It's a pretty section of river and makes for a longer run (both sections are pretty short on their own). Keep an eye out for wood in both sections- things have been moving around a lot recently.

As for free camping, just a short way past the town of Glacier take a right on glacier creek rd. then an immediate left onto a gravel road that runs along the river. There are a number of good camp spots along the river, but they will likely be busy this weekend.

I think most of us in Bellingham who aren't doing ski-to-sea are high-tailing it out of town this weekend, but hopefully you'll find somebody to paddle with. Have fun!

Posted By: Kiren
Date Posted: 25 May 2012 at 7:42pm

Let me know if you want to paddle the section below that. I would like to paddle tomorrow on the nooksack so give me a call if you want to expand your run. five four 1 five five four 9 five 2 four.

Posted By: KBfree
Date Posted: 25 May 2012 at 10:47pm

John,

I just saw your post... I am headed to the Ski to Sea race also and I want to get on class IV section also. Thesection above Doug Fir Campground is really Sweet. Would love to get back on this as it't not easy to get too anymore for me. Used to run this after work a few years ago.

I will be driving right by it on Sunday for the Ski to SEA race.... Maybe we can get a lap in Sunday during the other events? I'm doing the sea kayak event so I would be down for a lap as its only 2.5 miles long.

Let me know if you can meet up this weekend... and I will bring my creek boat.

503-891-49oo

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Kirk B

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