| Description:
Most playboaters these days dream of finding
big green waves that provide a lot of bounce for air moves.
Drunkard's Drop at the right levels is a launch pad for your kayak
and fantasy land for big moves. Most paddlers even those just
spinning or front surfing will find themselves partially airborne
during a ride. Paddlers can be seen getting some
amazing air time at Drunkard's.
Drunkard's Drop is located at the next rapid
below Rodeo Hole on the Wenatchee. Generally speaking when Rodeo
Hole is in so is Drunkard's (up to 13,500 cfs - 14,000 cfs). Most people access
Drunkard's by doing the play run between Rodeo Hole and Cashmere.
However I have seen people walking back along the railroad tracks to
the river access at Rodeo Hole, which I am fairly sure requires you
to trespass and pass a good bit of poison oak (not a good idea).
Using the river access at Rodeo Hole requires
you to buy a conservation permit. They ticket cars without permits
frequently to the tune of $60+ so don't park there without a permit
unless you feel like paying a ticket.
Just like at Rodeo Hole there is a lot of
downstream river traffic coming through the wave, Keep your eyes
open. |
| Eddy Service: Drunkard's Drop has
good eddy service but a delayed roll can cause you to miss the eddy
and have to carry your boat. |
| Water Levels:
5,000-
8,000:
There are some lesser features to surf in the same rapid as
Drunkards.
8,500 to 13,500cfs:
Drunkard's starts to come to life around 8,500cfs but is a small and
weak compared to how it is a 12,000cfs. 11,000cfs to 13,000cfs are
the prime levels. |
| Gauge: Wenatchee at Monitor |
| Season: Spring & Early Summer Run-Off |
| Difficulty: Intermediate on up below
10,000cfs. Above 11,000 cfs expert paddlers only. It is
doubtful that intermediate paddler will make the eddy on a regular
basis. |
| Driving Directions: Uses the same
put-in as Rodeo Hole. Getting to Rodeo Hole can be a bit of
challenge the first time. Make your way to Dryden, WA on US 2
between Peshastin and Cashmere (Mile Post 106.5). Turn off of US 2
onto Johnson Rd. directly across from The Dryden Community Church.
Take an immediate left onto Frontage Road which runs parallel to US
2 and drive East downhill toward the river. Drive Frontage road 1.7
miles. While on Frontage Road you will drop down and drive along the
river and then climb a hill at about after leaving US 2 onto
Frontage Road look for a house with a
blue metal roof and turn left onto a steep gravel road heading
downhill toward the river just before the house's paved road (Goehner's
Way). While driving Frontage Road keep your eye on the railroad
bridge crossing the Wenatchee, Rodeo Hole is located 300 yards
upstream of the railroad bridge. |
| Closest Town: Cashmere, WA |
| Closest Services: Cashmere should
have everything a paddler on the road should need. There are pit
toilets at the river access for Rodeo Hole. |
| Other Local Attractions if the play isn't
in: Climbing at Peshastin Pinnacles or up Icicle Creek. Mountain Bike on
one of the many fine trails nearby. Creeking on Icicle or Tumwater
Canyon. |
| Closest Camping: Free camping at
undeveloped sites is available west of Leavenworth around Mile Post
90 and Chiawaukum Road off of US 2. |
| Local's Tips: Do the run down from
Rodeo Hole to Cashmere, if the water level is above 10,000 cfs there
is some epic play. |
| Local Kayak Shops:
NWOP is the shop to hit on the Wenatchee
in Cashmere. If you need more information about the Wenatchee, call
NWOP at
509.782.9014. |
