Paddle Report

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road river run

Washington, USA Taylor River Class III-IV
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
54%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road -- Washington paddle run
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road Washington · Taylor River
About this run

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road

The Whitewater River is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking in Washington state. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 800 and 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The river is rated as a Class III-IV rapid, with some sections reaching Class V during high water.

The run starts at the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary and ends at Quartz Creek Road, covering a distance of approximately 9.5 miles. The river features several challenging rapids, including the S-turn, the Meatgrinder, and the Corkscrew. The S-turn is a narrow channel with a sharp turn that requires precise maneuvering. The Meatgrinder is a long rapid with multiple drops and tight chutes. The Corkscrew is a complex rapid with several obstacles and a tight channel.

There are several regulations in place to protect the wilderness and ensure the safety of visitors. Rafters and kayakers are required to obtain a permit to access the river. The permit system helps to limit the number of visitors and reduce the impact on the environment. Additionally, visitors are required to follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and avoid disturbing wildlife.

In conclusion, the Whitewater River run from the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary to Quartz Creek Road is a challenging and exhilarating whitewater experience. With the ideal streamflow range of 800 to 3,000 cfs, Class III-IV rapids, and several challenging sections, it is a popular destination for experienced rafters and kayakers. However, visitors must obtain a permit and follow regulations to protect the wilderness and ensure the safety of all visitors.
StateWashington
RiverTaylor River
ClassIII-IV
Elevation815 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal54%
StreamgageUSGS 12141300
Latitude47.5627°
Longitude-121.5304°
Detailed forecast

Plan your run down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

Whitewater safety

Check the flow before you run
Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
Know your skill ceiling
Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
Wear the right gear
Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
Scout, set safety, and run with a team
Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
Respect the river
Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.

FAQ

About Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road

What's the optimal flow for Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road?

The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.

How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?

The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.

What's the whitewater class?

See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.

Where do I put in / take out?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.

Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.