Whether it's the heart-stopping enjoyment of whitewater rapids or the peacefulness of paddling on a quiet sea in early hours of the day, you'll discover your great kayaking adventure lies perhaps not far from the tiny city of Entiat, Washington. That community, long referred to as the "gateway to recreation", is in the very center of many perfect windsurfing seas and rivers.
Let's begin with one of the very wild and adventuresome -- the Chelan River. For many years this four-mile long stream sleep has been dry, but has abruptly been drive to the national kayaking highlight as the Chelan PUD has agreed allowing kayakers to perform it on two split weekends in September, 2009 and July and September, 2010. Though short, it's more thrills than many of us our willing to endure. Considering the fact that the treacherous three-tenths long part through the Chelan Gorge is rated Type VI, that prospect is only for experts. Me? I really hope to be on the banks with my camera as those willing to just accept the risks dare to run it.
At another end of the range -- where I'm at -- are the more peaceful waters of Sea Entiat and River Chelan, although it ought to be observed that actually these lakes can be very difficult when the wind kicks up. The upper 30 miles of Lake Chelan are particularly well suited for a long canoeing adventure. Bring your equipment and intend on staying immediately along the way at among several camping areas accessible just by water. Certainly one of my favorites is the Domke Falls Campsite, located about 10 miles south of Stehekin. When you yourself have more time, be sure to get the rise up past the comes to Domke Lake. There are lots of good picture ops across the way.
Pond Entiat also adds itself to extended over night adventures. The Chelan PUD retains numerous campsites along their Best kayaking juneau. With a little advance preparing, you can invest an evening at all these parks over an a few day period. Alternatively, put-in at the Entiat City Park and get several hours to explore the neighborhood shores of Entiat and the mouth of the Entiat River.
The Entiat Water has many excellent operates for different levels of power and without the crowds of different streams draining to the Columbia River. The reduced 12-mile stretch from Stelico to the confluence with the Columbia provides a nice exercise with fairly regular School II rapids and the casual School III drop. Landscape along the way includes many small facilities and orchards and you can watch how a vegetation changes dramatically from forest to desert as you receive closer to the Columbia.
An upper 3-mile area of the Entiat River works from River Creek Campsite to the National Forest Boundary. The rapids through the canyon are Class IV+, but it calms down for the ultimate handful of miles to School II or III. You will more than likely have the stream to your self as much kayakers opt as an alternative to run the nearby Wenatchee River.
