Sauk River 9,000 CFS Whitechuck to Darrington | 2022 Whitewater

River Description
Season: Can be run with winter rains when the freezing level is not too low (November is often good but any good rain event will bring it up). A consistent performer through the spring snow melt and into early summer (typically April through July).
Description
The Sauk is part of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River system and is one of the most scenic intermediate runs on the west side of the Cascades. Over the course of the run you will be treated to a forested river corridor with just a couple glimpses of the road and a few cabins near Backman County Park. Most of the rest of the river corridor is in conservation status and the Forest Service has done an exceptional job of implementing the river management plan and providing good river access. On clear days the views are exceptional with Mt. Pugh towering above in the first half of the run and great views of Whitehorse Mountain near the end of the run.
The Sauk provides good continuous class III action. In the past, Jaws was considered a class IV but it has mellowed out since the 2003 floods rearranged the channel and opened up the line. The main hazards are trees which extend out from the banks, a couple large holes that can swallow inattentive paddlers, and at higher water long swims are a possibility. This is an excellent intermediate run that also provides some fun waves and play spots for more advanced paddlers.
White Chuck to Clear Creek, 7.5 miles
Starting at the confluence with the White Chuck, the river starts off through a number of class III rapids separated by short recovery pools (which become smaller as the discharge increases). There are numerous catch-on-the-fly surf waves.
Clear Creek to Darrington Mill Boat Launch, 4 miles
Backman County Park comes up on the left as another possible take-out that is better for rafts than Clear Creek. It's easy to miss so keep your eyes open once you pass the first couple cabins on the left. Below Backman County Park you will be treated to some great views of Whitehorse Mountain towering above the town of Darrington. As you pass a bedrock wall on river right you are almost at the take-out at the Darrington Mill. While it was used for years, the site was formalized and improved as a river access site with the construction of the Sauk-Prairie Bridge.
Logistics
Standard access points from the take-out and heading upstream to the put-in.
Darrington Mill Access at Sauk Prairie Bridge (River Mile 21.3)
On the north side of Darrington at mile Highway 530 mile 49.3 turn east on Sauk Praire Road (near the Darrington Ranger District Station). Follow this road 0.3 miles past the Hampton Lumber Mill to the bridge across the river. There is a boat ramp under the new bridge on river left and parking on upstream river left. This site can be used by rafts or kayaks.
Backman County Park (River Mile 24.5)
This access is accessible for rafts and kayaks and can serve as either a put-in or take-out. Head south out of Darrington on the Mountain Loop Highway and just outside of town (1.4 miles) at road mile 52.1 turn north on Clear Creek Road and follow it 0.6 miles to the park. This access is accessible for rafts and kayaks and can serve as either a put-in or take-out. It's easy to miss from the river but you can recognize it by several cabins along river left in the vicinity of the park.
Clear Creek (River Mile 25.3)
This access is southeast out of Darrington on the Mountain Loop Highway and just inside the National Forest. Shortly after passing Clear Creek Campground (and convenient campground for boaters), you will reach the Clear Creek bridge at highway mile 50.6. There is a pullout on the west side of the bridge and a trail down to the creek that provides access to the river. This access is generally only used by kayakers as Backman is just downstream and a little easier for rafts.
White Chuck Boat Launch (River Mile 31.9)
This is the standard put-in at a developed Forest Service river access site. Head up the Mountain Loop Highway crosses the Sauk (road mile 44.9) and the cross the Sauk River Bridge at road mile 44.9. A short distance after this, turn left and cross the White Chuck River on the new bridge. There is a large parking lot with bathrooms just downstream of the boat launch. There is not much room at the launch, so please be considerate of others and prepare your boats in the parking lot before taking them to the launch.
Camping is available at Clear Creek Campground which is very conveinent for this run. An alternative option is Squire Creek Campground which is just west of Darrington on Highway 530.

[@waterdragon4950]

Great description, although I will argue that Jaws is still a Class 4 swim. (So I hear) Good vid, love the sound of the river. The river level may have been a bit higher than posted, given the flow over the 'Seed'. ?