Kayaking at the Gateway to Recreation

Whether it's the heart-stopping thrill of whitewaterRiver.
rapids or the peacefulness of paddling on a quiet lakeThe Entiat River has several excellent runs for
in the early hours of the morning, you'll find your idealdifferent levels of ability and without the crowds of
kayaking adventure lies not far from the small town ofother rivers emptying into the Columbia River. The
Entiat, Washington. This town, long known as thelower 12-mile stretch from Stelico to the confluence
"gateway to recreation", is in the very center of manywith the Columbia offers a pleasant paddle with fairly
ideal kayaking lakes and rivers.consistent Class II rapids and the occasional Class III
Let's start with one of the most wild anddrop. Scenery along the way includes many small
adventuresome -- the Chelan River. For decades thisfarms and orchards and you can watch how the
four-mile long river bed has been dry, but has nowvegetation changes dramatically from forest to desert
suddenly been thrust into the national kayaking spotlightas you get closer to the Columbia.
as the Chelan PUD has agreed to allow kayakers toAn upper 3-mile section of the Entiat River runs from
run it on two separate weekends in July, 2009 andLake Creek Campground to the National Forest
July and September, 2010. Although short, it has moreBoundary. The rapids through the canyon are Class
thrills than most of us our willing to endure. Given thatIV+, but it calms down for the final couple of miles to
the treacherous three-tenths long section through theClass II or III. You will likely have the river to yourself as
Chelan Gorge is rated Class VI, this opportunity is onlymany kayakers opt instead to run the nearby
for experts. Me? I hope to be on the banks with myWenatchee River.
camera as those willing to accept the risks dare to runBy far the most popular river for both kayaking and
it.rafting in this part of Central Washington is the
At the other end of the spectrum -- where I'm at --Wenatchee River. The Wenatchee River Festival is
are the more peaceful waters of Lake Entiat andheld each year in mid-June and includes a down river
Lake Chelan, although it should be noted that evenrace, beer garden, silent auction and kayaking film
these lakes can be quite a challenge when the windpresentation. Along some 60 miles of the Wenatchee
kicks up. The northern 30 miles of Lake Chelan areyou'll find a range of adventures. Choose the 19-mile
particularly ideal for an extended kayaking adventure.run from Lake Wenatchee to Tumwater Canyon for
Bring your gear and plan on staying overnight along thean enjoyable Class II route. Run Tumwater Canyon to
way at one of several camping spots accessible onlyLeavenworth for 7 miles for a thrilling Class IV-V outing
by water. One of my favorites is the Domke Fallsthat won't soon be forgotten. From Leavenworth to
Campground, located about 10 miles south of Stehekin.Monitor enjoy 18-miles of Class III rapids and from
If you have extra time, be sure to take the hike upPeshastin Creek to Cashmere is the Class II-III 10-mile
past the falls to Domke Lake. There are many greatrun.
photo ops along the way.Whichever route you choose, be sure to go prepared
Lake Entiat also lends itself to extended overnightand research current conditions before you put-in. If
adventures. The Chelan PUD maintains numerousyou're inexperienced, contact one of the many guiding
campgrounds along its shores. With a little advanceservices in the area. They'll be able to help you get the
planning, one could spend a night at each of theseexperience to learn this exciting sport and provide all
parks over a several day period. Alternatively, put-in atthe equipment you'll need for a safe and thoroughly
the Entiat City Park and take a few hours to explorefun adventure!
the local shores of Entiat and the mouth of the Entiat