| Description:
Suffocator is another one of the Wenatchee's
epic high water waves. It is described by many paddlers as a mini
Skookumchuck on a river. Suffocator as the name implies is a big
strong feature and at the wrong water levels it can be really chunky
and give out a good thrashing. When the river level is right on the
Wenatchee, Suffocator is so fun to surf that play boaters are often
willing to spend hours there surfing it even though it doesn't have
an eddy and requires a good bit of hiking. Suffocator is another
spot on the Wenatchee where you can make your boat fly.
Suffocator is located in the same rapid as
Granny's in Cashmere, WA. Generally speaking when Rodeo Hole is in
so is Suffocator (above 10,000cfs). Most people access Suffocator by
doing the play run between Rodeo Hole and Cashmere. However you can
use the same put-in as you would for Granny's Wave at The Cashmere
Recycling Center.
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: Suffocator has no eddy
service! You have to walk. |
| Water Levels:
8,000cfs to 10,000cfs:
Suffocator is very angry at these levels and quite retentive really,
a large cart wheeling hole not really worthwhile for destination
play.
10,000cfs and above: Epic from 12,000 cfs and
up! |
| Gauge: Wenatchee at Monitor |
| Season: Spring & Early Summer Run-Off |
| Difficulty: Intermediate on up above
12,000cfs, other wise expert only. |
| Driving Directions: Uses the same
put-in as Granny's. Granny's is
located in Cashmere Washington. The road you will cross the river on
from US 2 is Aplets Way. Take Applets Way until you get into the
main part of town and turn right onto River St. when you pass
Jerry's Auto Parts. Follow River St. to the first left turn and park
at the small park adjacent to the
railroad tracks and transformers. This is a residential area so
make sure you cover yourself while changing and park appropriately.
Across the street from the park, is the put-in at the mouth of the
creek just past the gate next to the
Cashmere Recycling Center (looks like a couple of storage units.
Be aware that having good foot wear to walk down to the water in is
a good idea since there is a lot of broken glass in the vicinity of
the recycling center. |
| 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 and at the parks in
Cashmere. |
| 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. |
