| Description:
Rodeo Hole is the best known play spot in
Washington. During high water events Rodeo Hole can be an incredible
place to play. It is a very popular spot and when it is in during
the weekends you should expect to wait in long lines in the eddy. It
is also a great place to hang out and watch carnage as
rafts, inflatable kayaks, downstream kayakers
and hard core play boaters come together at
a big retentive hole. When walking around on the banks at Rodeo Hole
watch for POISON OAK.
Rodeo hole is a wave at around 10,000cfs and
turns into a nice hole by 11,000cfs and just keeps getting bigger
and angrier as the river continues to rise. Above 18,000cfs, Rodeo
Hole gets quite violent and I know at least one pro paddler who
won't go in above 18,000cfs. Most paddlers find the best levels for
Rodeo Hole to be around 12,500cfs when the hole is fairly manageable
and Drunkard's Drop just downstream is at its peak too.
There is also another play spot at Rodeo
Hole, Upper Rodeo Hole that comes in at a much lower river levels.
Upper Rodeo Hole has a pretty marginal eddy but is a place that you
can get your cartwheeling fix when Rodeo Hole isn't in.
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. |
| Eddy Service: Rodeo Hole has near
perfect eddy service. |
| Water Levels:
4500 to 10,000cfs:
Upper Rodeo is in and shallow below 6000cfs.
10,000 to 11,500cfs:
Rodeo Hole is a wave or wave hole.
11,500 to 25,000cfs:
The best levels for Rodeo Hole are between 11,000cfs and 14,000cfs. |
| Gauge: Wenatchee at Monitor |
| Season: Spring & Early Summer Run-Off |
| Difficulty: Intermediate on up below
13,000cfs. Above 13,000cfs advanced and expert paddlers only. |
| Driving Directions: 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. |
