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Description
A little used beginner run very close to home for many–the takeout is a 15 minute drive from Everett. The lower Pilchuck is an easy but fun run through woods, farms, and suburban neighborhoods. Possibilities exist for longer or shorter runs. The run can be extended by continuing downstream to the Snohomish River or putting in upstream from a turnout on Russell Road. The bridge (just upstream from the turnout) on Russell Road is not recommended as a put-in because there is usually significant wood just downstream.
Wood can be in play, and seems to be an issue most often just upstream of Dubuque road (which you can scout from the road). Also wood is very common is the river jsut upstream of this section.
Makes for a great after work training run, and with the Centennial trail nearby there are opportunities for bike shuttles.
The recommended range of 300-1600 ranges from quite low but runnable to medium high. Best levels for beginner boaters are around 400-800, where the small boulders in this run provide nice eddylines to practice on and there is ample opportunity for recovery after a swim. At levels above 1000 features start to wash out, and beaches start getting covered, making rescues a bit more difficult. However some nice small wave trains and a few small surf waves appear at higher levels.
There are multiple access spots for shorter/longer runs.
For the main access spots:
PUT-IN: OK Mill Road. At the bridge over the river, there is a parking area on the river left upstream side. A short path leads down to the river near the bridge.
TAKE OUT: Pilchuck Park. From the put-in turn RIGHT onto OK Mill Road. Cross over the river and soon after turn LEFT onto Machias Road. Continue on Machias to Snohmish where Machias Road becomes Maple Ave. At the light at Second Street turn LEFT. After a couple blocks turn RIGHT on Cypress Ave. After you turn onto Cypress the park entrance will be on your LEFT.
The park has lots of parking and several trails leading to the river. Scout them out to find the best one. Note: at higher water levels the gravel beach may be under water so you should scout your landing zone before your trip.
ALTERNATE ACCESS SPOTS:
_The bridge on Dubuque road as well as the Centennial Trail Parking Lot near the Hwy 2 overpass offer intermediate access points._
_This run can be extended by putting in upstream: from OK Mill Road continue to Russel road and turn left and put-in at a turnout at .6 miles. Upstream from this spot is often very woody and not recommended._
_Also the run can be extended by continuing down stream to the Snohomish River and taking out at one of the developed boat ramps in Snohomish (one is off Lincoln Ave and one is downtown off First Street)._
Difficulty Classes
I EasyII NoviceIII IntermediateIV AdvancedV Expert/ExtremeVI Unrunnable