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Alpine Adventures |
800-723-8386 |
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Blue Sky Outfitters |
800-228-7238 |
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Downstream River Runners |
800-234-4644 |
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North Cascades River Expeditions |
800-634-8433 |
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Northern Wilderness River Riders |
800-448-7238 |
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Orion Expeditions |
800-553-7466 |
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River Recreation |
800-464-5899 |
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Rivers Incorporated |
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Wildwater River Tours |
800-522-9453 |
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Osprey Rafting Co. |
800-743-6269 |
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| Section |
Tieton
Dam to Windy Point |
|
Location |
Yakima
County, west of Naches, south-central Washington |
|
Driving Time |
Portland—3
hours; Seattle—3 hours |
|
Difficulty |
Class
II-III+; paddle raft experience recommended |
|
Trip Length |
13
miles (21 km) |
|
Trip Options |
Paddle
raft and oar raft; one day |
|
Season |
September |
The Tieton River, a mere
trickle in the summer, roars with excitement and thousands of
boaters each September when the dam gates of Rimrock Lake are opened
to provide additional water to the Yakima Valley and the salmon run
up the Yakima River. The  swift-flowing Tieton drops at rates
exceeding 50 feet a mile in a stretch flowing over countless
stair-step ledges. While most of the river's numerous technical
drops are individually only Class II-III+, the continuous nature of
the rapids and its steep gradient makes it closer to a Class IV run.
Outfitters
recommend the river trip for experienced rafting guests as there is
little time for training novices. Because of the Tieton extreme
popularity and short season, usually two weekends each September, it
is essential that prospective rafters make early reservations.
Located
southeast of Mount Rainier, the Tieton whitewater run parallels U.S.
Highway 12 for 13 miles (21 km) from the Tieton Dam to the Windy
Point Campground near Naches.
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