This Seattle paddler gets her spin on at Turkey Chute at 11000cfs.  photo: ©Fields

Paddlers waiting their turn in Turkey Chute's ample eddy.  photo: ©Fields

If the playing in big munchy holes and surfing giant breaking waves isn't your thing, then the Wenatchee has a wave for you even at high water. While people are window shading in Rodeo Hole upstream and surfing the big breaking waves of Drunkard's Drop, things are still nice and calm down at Turkey Chute. Turkey Chutes seems to change little with the water level. You can count on it being a nice clean green wave that with will surge and the break again strongly a few seconds later.

Compared to the features upstream at high water Turkey Chute is relaxing place to surf. It draws in paddlers who passed by Drunkard's and Rodeo Hole like a magnet. Expect the eddy to be full especially on sunny spring weekends. 

When walking around out of your boat on the banks near Turkey Chute watch for POISON OAK.

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.

8000 to 16,000cfs: Are the best levels for Turkey Chute.

Turkey Chute is located about a mile downstream of Drunkard's Drop roughly halfway between Rodeo Hole and Cashmere. The best way to access the wave is to put-in at Rodeo Hole and do the run down to Cashmere.

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.