Skykomish River Rafting Trips - The ULTIMATE 10 Mile Challenge!

Skykomish River Rafting Trips

The Ultimate 10 Mile Challenge!

With the jagged snow capped peak of Mt. Index as your backdrop, you will be facing the river that has the most difficult rapid in the state: the powerful Class 5 "Boulder Drop". No other rapid is more talked about than this one. Boulders the size of a garage, combined with over a 15 foot drop in elevation, call for all the skill that guides and crew can muster. Surrounded by great class 3-4 whitewater before and after, you'll approach Boulder Drop halfway through the trip, presenting itself as a looming horizon line surrounded by huge boulders.

©2006 Amber Palmer

We'll pull your raft over to the side and get out on shore to scout out this massive rapid and determine our plan for running it that day. You'll get a chance to see just how large and powerful this rapid really is. Then it's back to the boats and on to tackle "The Drop".

Your guide will shout commands as you power though several maneuvers to successfully navigate through the boulders and currents and over several drops. Then CELEBRATE upon completing the rapid, re positioning the boat to view your companions negotiating the path you just came through.

*Operated under U.S. Forest Service permit.

Class 4 to 4+

©2006 Amber Palmer

River Classifications

River classification means the degree of difficulty of rafting the river. The higher the rating, the more obstacles (such as rocks and trees) are in the river. It does not mean the higher the waves. The Wenatchee and the Methow rivers are only class 3 but have the tallest rapids in the state.

What to Bring:

• Swimsuit or shorts (to be worn under wetsuit)

• Wool hat, sweater, and socks

• Light rain jacket or wind breaker

• Sunscreen

• Change of clothes (to be left in your car for after the trip)

Blue Sky Outfitters Provides:

• Farmer John style wetsuits (full body without sleeves)
• Neoprene booties
• Water resistant drybags on each raft (for extra sweaters, hats, etc.)
• Coast Guard Approved life jackets
• Whitewater helmets

Skykomish River Rafting - Blue Sky Outfitters
Daily @ 11:00 AM (April to July)

Departure Dates:

Daily - April to July

Departure Times:

11:00 AM

Departure Point:

Big Eddy near Gold Bar, WA 98251

Meet us in the large dirt parking lot. You'll see our van just before meet time!

Passengers should meet at this address 15 minutes prior to departure.

Directions:

Located off Hwy 2, near Gold Bar, about 17 miles east of Monroe and 45 miles west of Stevens Pass.
From Hwy 2, watch the mile markers: Big Eddy is located between mile markers 30 and 31, on the east side of the Skykomish River bridge, approximately 2 miles east of the city of Gold Bar. Turn into the Department of Wildlife access area (Big Eddy) - watch for the small Fishing Access sign.

We strongly suggest using either directions from MapQuest and/or a Washington State Highway Map in addition to the directions on this page!

Parking:

There is now a parking fee of $5/day at Big Eddy (there's a pay station there), but you are exempt from the fee if you have a yellow Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) vehicle use permit sticker.

Hotel Pickup:

No Hotel pick-up is available for this tour or activity

Return Details:

Tour concludes at the original departure point.

Payment:

Your credit card will be charged the total amount of products and services selected at time of booking. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card.

Confirmation & Travel Voucher

For every confirmed booking you will receive an e-mail with a link to your E-Ticket Voucher. Print vouchers on your home/ office printer. Please present this E-Ticket voucher at the Box Office. Only one voucher will be created per tour or activity for all travelers.

For TourCorp terms, conditions and F.A.Q. please follow this link

©2006 Amber Palmer

This tour must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your travel date. Your confirmation for this product will be received within 12- 24 hours subject to availability.

Cancellation and No Show Policy

Cancellations within 14 days of the tour are charged in full. Cancellations prior to 14 days are charged a minimum $10.00 per person administration fee. We charge for NO SHOWS. No Shows on tour dates are charged 100%. Some specific tours and activities have a higher cancellation fee due to the limited space available.

Weather
We seldom cancel or postpone a trip, but we reserve the right to do so when necessary: due to water conditions, weather, insufficient reservations, or other reasons beyond our control. In such a case, your fees will be refunded or applied to another trip, but not expenses incurred in travel.

Exceptions
During peak spring/early summer run-off, we reserve the right to transfer parties from flooded rivers that same day, usually to the Wenatchee River or Skagit River, which can accommodate much higher flows. No refunds or rescheduling.

Releases
Prior your rafting trip, each person will be required to sign a liability release at the river. Minors must have a legal guardian sign for them.

Gratuities and Souvenirs are not included
If you feel your guide has done a great trip for you, please feel free to tip your guide. Tipping is optional but always appreciated. How much is up to you - most people tip as they would in a restaurant, between 10-20% of the cost of the trip or stay.

Blue Sky Outfitters and TourCorp Inc. assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdown, bad conditions of roads, trails, bays, ocean, harbors, and any other conditions beyond control, in addition to insufficient numbers of passengers. Not responsible for loss or damage to property.

On some tours and activities the size of the vehicle depends on the number of passengers booked for that particular day. Tour companies reserve the right to change the size of the vehicle.

All company policies can be found at http://www.tourcorp.com and are part of this tour or activity purchase.