This was the second full run of the Wenatchee for me, and it was a little higher than the run the day before, but still tons of fun!  We started out at Happy Wave for a quick session before heading down.  Happy Wave is located between Peshastin and Leavenworth, and there is a small gravel pullout that goes down to the river.  Lots of rafters use this access as a put-in instead of coming all the way down from Tum or Leavenworth.  Happy Wave is a small shelf that comes in between 4-6,000 and is shallow but lots of fun.  It is great for front surfs, spins, and the occasional blunt.

Cherish rips it up on Happy Wave.

Cherish Flat spinning.

One other added bonus of putting in at Happy Wave is that you don't miss Rock and Roll, one of the most fun rapids on the river.  Its about 2 miles of flat water below the wave, but it has tons of huge waves and good holes.  You can tell when you are coming up on it because the river bends left and there is a small flow around the back of an island.  The line is center right to avoid getting munched by Satan's Eyeball, an ominous rock/ hole that gets the best of many boaters.  It is epic big water fun.

Big water approaching Rock and Roll.

Below Rock and Roll is the Dyden Dam, a lowhead that is a killer.  It can be run on the left side, but I usually portage anyway.  While we were there a raft that wasn't tied off floated down into it, flipped, and got surfed for a while.  Be very careful here.  There are large signs marking the spot.  Portage right.  Peshastin Creek also comes in here, another place you can put in, as we had the day before.

Rafters running the left side of the dam.

The lowhead dam.  The boat is tied off about where you want to be to make the move on the far left side.

Below here is where the action really picks up.  There are a few really good wave trains leading up to Gorilla Falls.  There is a large rock in the middle under the bridge that needs to be avoided.  Also be mindful of the killer bridge pillars.

Gorilla Falls under the bridge.  Avoid large mound.

About 1/2 mile down is a fun wave at certain levels.  It is next to the Red Roofed Cabin, and has decent eddy service.

Rusty Red cabin on the right has some good surf waves above it.

Catherine on the Red Cabin wave.

There are many more fun waves and holes below here.  There are some huge walls that have caves large enough to park a raft under.  At the Cave Rapid, there is a good wave at certain flows.

Cave in the wall.

Around the next corner is the infamous Rodeo Hole.  This kickass hole only comes in between 10-15,000cfs, but at lower flows there is the Upper Rodeo Hole which is trashy, but decent.  It is quite retentive, and not good for beginners.  We saw people jumping into it with boogie boards on our trip.  Pretty cool.

Boogie boarder stuck in Upper Rodeo Hole.

Downstream from Rodeo are the last few fun rapids:  Snowblind and Grannie's.  Snowblind is a minefield of waves, holes and whitewater.  The two largest holes are known as Safeway and Snowblower, and are easily avoided by running far right or far left.  You can also go between them.  There is tons of play in this rapid, with good waves and retentive holes.  The entry waves are also some of the best wavewheels around.

Below Snowblind is Grannie's Panties.  This is a popular play spot at most flows (different waves come in and out).  5,500 to 6,000 is perfect for the hole on the left, and you can pull off blunts, backstabs, and spins.  It is a large, powerful hole but super fun and pretty safe.  The only drawback is that if you blow off, you need to walk back up the island in the middle along the Trail of Tears.  Also below Grannie's is Suffocator Hole, that packs a nasty punch at some flows.  Lots of rafts flip in that one.

Jonathan Blum backsurfs in Grannie's.

Paul in Grannie's.

Christian goes for the blunt.

James blunting left.

The Trail of Tears, with Suffocator Hole, in the background.

Paul goes airborne on Grannie's.

Leif checks the edge of the hole for snakes..

The takeout is about 1/4 mile below at the park on the right.  There are always tons of boaters here on the weekends, and shuttle is usually pretty easy.  Great trip!

daysontheriver.com

All content © Jonathan Blum, 2004-2008 • Contact webmaster
No part of this page may be reproduced, copied, sold, or used for promotional materials without the express written permission of Daysontheriver.com.