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Beautiful day, but not much water. In desparate need of boating time.
For me, this will be run #161 down the Middle Sauk (my first run was 1984)

Commercial trip

Backman takeout was improved since last year.
Backman may be the last Capital Facility enhancement project specifically referred to in the Wild and Scenic River Management Plan

Low, but doable

Back at the putin, just Jim and I now

Looking at Whitechuck River confluence

Soaking in the scenery

Below Alligator

Below Jaws

Below Jaws #2

Mt. Pugh in the background

More scenery

Below new Whirlpool channel

Not much snow on Whitechuck Mtn

Old Whirlpool channel

New downed log above popular sandy lunch beach

Jim tries to go left first

Just enough clearance at this level. Ducked helmet under, may have touched with back of life vest

Some of the bark is peeling off

Lots of branches

No clear areas

Can't portage thru the branches.
USFS is working with DFW to see what can be done to remove the safety hazard

Looks like a new low water center slot at Clear Creek

USGS Flow at 05/03/2015 12:00 PDT 2,920 CFS 4.26'

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USGS Flow at 05/03/2015 12:00 PDT 1,330 CFS 6.55'
1330/2920 = 46% of Sauk flow. RM 22 vs. RM 5.4 (16.6 miles upstream, 3-5 hours. At 5pm the Sauk gage was 2860 CFS (%47)

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Another sunny low water Sauk day

Got more company after the shuttle

Essentially zero snow on Whitechuck Mtn.

Just Jim and I today

Below Alligator

The group at the put-in lead by a perky PA was making a 3 day trip of this same stretch, and the first camp was going to be here

Jim waits patiently

View downstream

This could be the 'kitchen' island. Another sand bar along shore that requires wading could be for camping

Commercial peeps

Mt. Pugh in the background

Thru Jaws, paddles in the air, not paddling

Guides seemed inept. One goes the wrong way, another almost broaches on the Demon Seed. Luckily nothing happened

View from behind Demon Seed

Jim's photo vantage point

Below new Whirlpool channel

Surfin...

Below Clayton Corner

Log still above sandy lunch beach

More boats catchup to us

Have to stay river left and duck to slide under

Below Clear Creek

USGS Flow at 06/06/2015 12:00 PDT 3,880 CFS4.73'

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USGS Flow at 06/06/2015 12:00 PDT 1,410 CFS 6.63'
1410/3880 = 36% (46% on May 3) More glacial melt coming down the Suiattle

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