Disclaimer

There are significant dangers associated with both Open Water and Moving Water canoe outings.  Units undertaking a Scouting Adventure on either a large body of water or moving water need more than just the basic skills and knowledge required by the BSA to conduct such a trip safely.

Our Troop has several adults with extensive experience and professional training in watercraft use, sailing and whitewater.  If you are planning a Canoe trip and do not have an experienced adult leader able to assess flow rates, wind and "read water", you should reconsider a water outing until you have the proper resources and people to make your trip safe. 

We are happy to talk to you if you have questions. 

Lazy Rivers

• There are many rivers to explore in Western Washington.  They range from flat lake-like waters to raging rapids.

• NOTE: per www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss02/:

  • Before a unit using human-powered craft controlled by youth embarks on a float trip or excursion that covers an extended distance or lasts longer than four hours, each participant should either receive a minimum of three hours training and supervised practice or demonstrate proficiency in maneuvering the craft effectively over a 100-yard course and recovering from a capsize.

• Self-guided unit trips on Class III whitewater may only be done after all participants have received American Canoe Association or equivalent training for the class of water and type of craft involved. Unit trips on whitewater sections of rivers rated Class IV are only allowed in rafts with a professionally trained guide in each raft. Trips above Class IV are not allowed.

Sammamish River (aka Sammamish Slough)

• Connects Lake Sammamish to Lake Washington

• 13.0 miles Class "A"

• 4-5 Hours - Easy

• Put-In: Redmond’s Marymoor Park

• Take-Out: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife water access site Kenmore (need Discovery Pass to park)

Stillaguamish River

• 16 river miles

• Put-In: Haller Park in Arlington

• Take-Out: Hat Slough boat launch

• Concerns:

  • Light Rapid few miles from Haller Park - stop and portage around

  • Small Dam just past I-5 on left- Turn right into a side slough to avoid

Everett Sloughs

• Fed by the Snohomish River, The Everett Delta has many waterways worth exploring.

• NOTE: water levels are heavily influenced by coastal tides.  Some waterways are impassible at low tide.  Some waterways are extremely difficult to navigate if you are going against the tide.  Plan your trips accordingly, ideally with the tide assisting you throughout your trip.

• tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9447659&legacy=1

• www.usharbors.com/harbor/washington/everett-wa/tides/

Union Slough

• 7.5 miles

• Launch and pickup at Langus Park.  Canoes don't need to pay the $10 fee.  Just don't take up trailer parking.

• Plan your trip in as the tide is rising and peaks ideally in the middle of your trip.  Union Slough is impassible at low tide, and you could actually get trapped there if you time it wrong.

• If you start with the tide going out, it will be challenging and potentially dangerous for less experienced scouts to make it to Steamboat Slough as they fight the current.  Once you get to Steamboat and Union Sloughs, the water is gentle and hardly moves.  Enjoy the meandering route of Union Slough and the collection of boats on Steamboat Slough.  Plan 6 hours for this trip.  It can easily expand past that if you explore drainage canals in Spencer Island or have zigzagging scouts who tire quickly.

• In the past - it took us 8 hours fighting the tide both ways, exploring every drainage canal, goofing off on the beach and having to backtrack because of low tide in Union Canal.  Better timing and better experienced scouts could cut that time in half.

Other routes are worth exploring for more experienced groups.  Just take the tide into account.

Launch Points:

• Union Slough Park
  4200 40th Pl NE, Everett, WA 98201
  7 parking spots

• Langus Riverfront Park
  400 Smith Island Rd, Everett, WA 98201
  Plenty of parking
  Motor boats that have to use a trailer to back down ramp must pay $10
  Avoid trailer parking spots for free parking

• Ebey Waterfront Park
  1404 1st St, Marysville, WA 98270
  plenty of free parking

• Jetty Island Ferry Launch
  Restrooms
  Free launch for canoes
  plenty of parking

Snohomish River

• Sloughs in Everett Delta allow you to mix up your route a bit.

• Consider tides when planning your trip.  Tides can make it easier or more difficult to navigate the delta.  Incoming tides will make it more reasonable to start your trip going upstream.  Outgoing tides will make upstream travel pure torture.

• www.usharbors.com/harbor/washington/everett-wa/tides/

• Snohomish River Boat Launch to Lowell Boat Ramp - 6 miles

• Snohomish River Boat Launch to Langus Park Boat Ramp - 10.5 miles

Snoqualmie River

Snoqualmie River Tubing

• • • www.fallcityfloating.com 

    • Plum Boat Launch to Fall City Park: www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/washington/snoqualmie-river-float

    • Discovery Pass required for Plum Access Area

    • 3.3 Miles

    • 2.5 to 4 hours of float time based on water levels

Fall City Park to Tolt-MacDonald Park Float 

• 10 mile Float

• All Day Float

Skagit River

• Skagit - I(II)

• Difficulty I(II)

• Length 49 mi

• Sauk River to Sedro-Woolley

• short day trips or multi-day adventures

Example Skagit Adventure:

• Put In - 48.52403167775668, -121.4403465146713 

  • Take right hand turn on Highway 20 at 48.591074890854514, -121.37790207823784

  • Left Swerve Road sign is located right past unmarked turnoff

• Camp 1 – 48.52403167775668, -121.4403465146713

  • Or 48.50350805531394, -121.47866491070874

• Camp 2 – 48.482550210807794, -121.62049357944318 

• Camp 3 – 48.51609053588956, -121.71071176476839 

• Camp 4 – 48.51119878048986, -121.89155841836508 

• Camp 5 – 48.520198986239286, -122.07638763332184

• Take Out – 48.49004034549023, -122.20635660840549

  • Wildcat Steelhead Club