Skykomish River
🌿 Wilderness
King / Snohomish Co. · 45 mi · Class III–IV
3,440CFS/ 7.01 ft
Optimal→Stable· +50 cfs in 3h
Water temp: 46°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 2500–7000 CFS · USGS #12134500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Washington Scenic River · Henry M. Jackson Wilderness (headwaters) · US-2 Scenic Byway corridor
Washington's most celebrated whitewater river — the Skykomish drains the Cascades above Stevens Pass and delivers continuous Class III–IV rapids through a spectacular old-growth forest canyon. Boulder Drop, Lunch Counter, and the Upper Sky above Index are Washington benchmarks. Best April through June on snowmelt.
Trip sections
Upper Sky above Index — Class IV–V, expert only, steep and committing
Gold Bar to Monroe — Class III–IV, most popular, Boulder Drop and Lunch Counter
Lower Skykomish to Snohomish confluence — Class I–II, easy flatwater
Outfitters
Orion Expeditions
Skykomish River raft trips from Gold Bar
RnR Whitewater
Upper and Lower Sky guided trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.