Spring 2006 Leavenworth area whitewater

So far the spring of 2006 has been great for whitewater kayaking in Washington. The flows have been consistent and the weather sunny and warm. After a week of particularly warm temperatures and rapid snowmelt, the rives were high, very high in fact. The Wenatchee River hit 21000cfs, it's highest level in years and I was lucky enough to be there. Paddling it at nearly 20K cfs was at once terrifying and thrilling, I can't wait to do it again.
At these levels, I was so in awe of the power of nature, I forgot to take even one picture of the Wenatchee. I did however manage to snap a few pics of Icicle Creek at 4000cfs. The Icicle, as it is known to locals, was one long continuous stretch of class V and VI chaos at this level. The Plunge (above) and the appropriately named Snow Creek Death Trap (below) are two of the many intimidating rapids on the Icicle.

Needless to say, I didn't run Icicle at this level, and neither did anyone else for that matter.
When the levels on the Wenatchee dropped to 12000cfs or so, I did manage to run a few of its tributaries including Peshastin Creek (IV), the Upper, Upper run on the Icicle (III) and Lower Nason Creek (III).
Peshastin Creek (pictured above and below) is a very continuous run. The creek drops over 200ft in the first mile. This translates to one long class III rapid with a spicy class IV known as Fresh Squeezed thrown in for good measure. It's loads of fun, as long a you stay upright and don't get too winded.


The Snow Creek Death Trap, shown here, has never been run at any level. No need to wonder why.

Foss Lakes Camping

Gloria and both had 4 days off over the Independence Day weekend so we decided to go on a "honeymoon" of sorts (we didn't have a real one). While not very romantic, particularly because Gloria was fighting a bad cold, the Foss Lakes proved to be a relaxing way to spend the weekend.

The hike in passed though some rare old growth forest. Giant Hemlock, Douglas Fir and Cedars trees created a both a beautiful backdrop and some welcome shade on the approach. While the warm weather made for some hot hiking weather and rapid snowment, it also set the forest floor into full bloom. The wildflowers were simply everywhere.






The lakes were full of rainbow and cutthroat trout. I caught one at Little Heart Lake and had it with wild rice for dinner. Yum. Copper Lake, at just over 4000ft. of elevation is pictured below.











All in all, it was a great weekend. We will surely return to the alpine lakes wilderness again.