The whitewater on this run does not exceed class II but you may encounter wood hazards that require more advanced skills. The flows on winter rains.
What you see at the put-in characterizes the first but about 5-10 minutes in you will pass under the Centennial Trail Bridge. Downstream of the bridge, the river passes through a scenic forested reach where conifers line the bank and an bedrock wall extends down river left. The section has some fun class II whitewater.
Soon a few homes come into view and then a little over halfway down the run you arrive at the Stanwood-Bryant Road Bridge (alternate access on river left about 1/4 mile upstream of the bridge). Here the channel spreads out a bit and you can expect to encounter wood hazards (it's worth driving this road on the shuttle to take a look). Downstream you will float through mixed rural residential and agricultural lands although the tribe has been working to restore native vegetation along the banks.
After you pass under I-5 the river bends to the left and soon arrives at the 236th St. NE Bridge just upstream of the river's confluence with the Stillaguamish. The take-out is on the downstream river left side of the bridge.
This section is not as popular as the
Upper and
Middle sections but it's still a fun float if you are looking for something easier with relatively simple logistics.
Access Logistics: The take-out is at Interstate 5 exit 210. From the exit head west on 236th St. NE for 0.5 mile to the bridge across the creek that serves as the take-out (downstream river left). To reach the put-in, head back to Interstate 5 and drive north to exit 212 and head east on Stanwood-Bryant Road for 4.1 miles to Highway 9. Head 2 miles north on Highway 9 (mile 34.9) to the bridge across Pilchuck Creek which is the put-in (downstream river right).