Tieton RIver, Lower, Windy Point Campground to Naches, WA
By Jonathan Blum
  Class:  II-III
Trip date:  9/17/2005
River flow:  1,800cfs
Length:  8.5 miles

People:  Jonathan Blum, Kelly Howard
Boat:  Dagger Kingpin 6.3

 

Kelly and I did the lower Tieton after rafting the upper on a sunny day in September.  I had never been down the lower, but Kelly was still working on her roll, so it seemed like a good place to take her.  The river is quite a bit friendlier below the Windy Point Campground, but it is not easy.  The water is still very continuous and fast, and although the rapids are not difficult, they keep moving.

Kelly took one swim in a rapid that had some larger holes and gradient similar to some of the upper, and it was pretty epic.  She probably swam 1000 feet before we were able to get out into some thick bushes on shore.  We didn't lose anything, but it could have been epic.  This part of the run is not nearly as roadside as the upper, and the river goes pretty far from the road at points.

There is beautiful scenery in this lower section as the river opens up into the Naches and Yakima Valley.  We took out at the rock climbing area near Naches where we were meeting some friends who were climbing that afternoon.  Good day on the river!

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