Nooksack River
[ Pictures ]

 

Whitewater

The Nooksack River, just south of the Canadian border, is the best late season run in Washington and always an exciting ride. Begin your adventure in a primeval canyon dripping with moss. This wild ride requires precise maneuvering through the tight and technical rapids in it's narrow canyon section. Rapids the likes of the Nozzle, Fir Drop, Turtle Rock, Landslide, Postcard, and Gallop Drop give you the sense of this steep canyon and it's fast pace. This Class III+ glacial fed river then settles down into a liesurely float with awesome views of 10,778 foot Komo Kulshan, "The Great White Watcher", better known as Mt. Baker, Washington's second most active volcano. We meet in the town of Glacier at Wild and Scenic's Headquarters.

American Whitewater Description and River Levels

 

The jewel of the North Cascades - the North Fork of the Nooksack. This river is born at the base of the Nooksack Glacier, high on Mt. Shuksan. After mixing with many side creeks and tumbling over Nooksack Falls, this river's glacial silt laden water enters the upper gorge of the Nooksack. Sightings of wildlife such as eagles, deer, and otter are a common occurrence in the lower section until we reach our conclusion at the take-out. Your guide/chefs will provide gourmet riverside meals for you to enjoy. On an overnight trip we will typically serve a continental breakfast, deli style lunch and baked dinner the first day, and full breakfast and hot lunch the second day, plus snacks and drinks.

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Minimum Age: 10 years (with written release from parents or guardians)
Season: May through mid-August
Price: Day Trip - $89.00 per person. 10am daily (lunch included)
Half-Day Trip - $79.00 per person. 3pm daily (no lunch)

Camping

A number of U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are located along the river, such as Douglas Fir, Siver Fir, and Shuksan. They fill up rather quickly on weekends so prepare for an early arrival to get your camping spot.

Directions to the Meeting Place: From I-5 take the Mt. Baker/Sunset Drive exit (#255) out of Bellingham onto State Highway 542 eastbound. Follow 542 East 35 miles to the town of Glacier. Once in Glacier turn left just before the Glacier Ski Shop (look for Wild & Scenic sign on the left side of the road) and drive to Wild and Scenic headquarters at the end of the road.

Wild & Scenic River Tours operates with a special-use permit under the U.S. Forest Service, Sedro Wooley Ranger District. We promote river preservation and forest clean-up projects and are an Equal Opportunity Employer and Recreation Provider.