The Middle-Middle run is a real gem.  It is less than a hour from Seattle, has decent flows when it is raining or the snow is melting, and has good play at the right levels.  This was the first time I had been back since a very high water run I did on 12/11/2004.  The river was really good for a meager 1,060cfs and I was impressed by the quality of the run, despite the low flows.  I'll certainly be back when the water picks up a bit.  It is also of note that this is an excellent intermediate run for those pushing into Class III when it is at low water.  I have run it as high as 15,000 and I'm sure you can go higher, but it is no eddys and large trees coming down at that level, so be warned.  Expert territory only.

There has been some work on the put in since I was here last, and I was impressed with the trail and marked map of the river.  Good to see tax dollars going somewhere useful I suppose.

Put in at marked established trail at Granite Creek (Concrete Bridge)

The Middle Middle map at the put-in.

The new put-in at Granite Creek (Concrete Bridge)

Put-in at the Concrete Bridge (Granite Creek)

The section has a great warmup stretch of Class II boulder gardens before any of the more difficult rapids.  Also, the most difficult rapids are near the end, so it is easy to get off before it is too late if you are in over your head.  The scenery of Mt. Si and the surrounding Snoqualmie valley are great, and it is a really nice area.  Thomas and I had bluebird conditions and it was warm outside.  Spring has finally arrived!

Looking down from the Concrete Bridge put-in.

Approaching Cable Car Rapid.  Indicated by large storage tank on far bank.

The first rapid of note is Cable Car Rapids.  This is relatively easy as the river drops over some rocks with a few small holes.  We ran left and it was good.  You could probably go anywhere on this.

Beautiful Middle Middle scenery.

First Island Drop is the next rapid and it is obvious as the river drops away and splits around an Island.  The right channel is the preferred line, although left would be a go too.  The left side of the right channel was the cleanest, and there is slight pin potential on the right side here.  This cleans up a lot at higher flows, but it was pretty boney at this level.

Below this is A-Frame, which was a nothing at this level.  At a bit higher flow there is an excellent surf wave that forms here, but today there was only a wave train with a few haystacks.  This gets super awesome at really high flows.  No eddy service but maybe one of the best surfs I ever had when I was beginning kayaking.

The water mellows for a bit before the crux section of the run.  This is a continuous section that has a few rapids back to back.  The series is Surprise Drop (III), Right Angle Drop (III), House Rocks Rapid (IV) and Second Island Drop (III).

Surprise Drop has a large boulder in the middle and then goes into a wall.  The run is to the left of the huge boulder in the middle and then down in front of the wall.  This is the entrance of the crux.

Directly around the corner is Right Hand Drop.  This drop is formed by  a row of rocks that comes off the right bank.  This is a very large ledge hole at higher flows.  Run hard left or risk being sucked into the mess.  I wouldn't want to get in there at 5,000!

Right Angle Drop from below.  The line of rocks on the left form the large hole at higher flows.

After that, House Rocks Rapid comes into view.  This rapid is Class IV, and is difficult to scout.  It is long and has many powerful hydraulics and waves.  There are some very large boulders, and the line is generally to the right of all of them.  You can go left of the second one if you want, but most people just stay right the whole time.  If you swim here, swim hard right to avoid being stuffed under any of the giant rocks or the rock/log sieve down at the bottom rock.  I had never seen this before, but it would be a gnarly thing to swim into.  Know before you go.

Approaching House Rocks Rapid.  Notice the house sized boulders.

Thomas coming through House Rocks

The log stuck between the rocks at the bottom of House Rocks Rapid

Log sieve in House Rocks Rapid from below.  You can see the other rocks above.

After the crux section, the river mellows out a lot.  There are a few more good rapids and boulder gardens, but it is all small compared to the House Rocks.  One of the rapids below is the Second Island Drop which collects wood.  The right side of the left channel is usually the best line.  As we floated through here we saw a very unique duck and I was fortunate to get a picture of it.  It has cool markings of white, black and brown all over it.  I have been told it is a Harlequin Duck, and is an endangered species.  Sweet!

The mystery duck.  Does anyone know what kind this is?

Thomas below Second Island Drop

Middle Middle slalom course

There is also the Middle-Middle slalom course which always makes for a fun time.  The gates were up but we still slalomed around a bit.

Below Second Island Drop.

The takeout is signaled by powerlines overhead.  Look for the sign on the left bank and walk up the trail to the road.  Be respectful of the private property here.

To get to the Middle-Middle, take Exit 32 from I-90 Eastbound.  Go over the overpass, and turn right on North Bend Way.  In .5 miles the road forks and go left.  Follow this .4 miles to the parking area where the powerlines cross overhead.

To get to the put-in, go back to North Bend road and turn left.  Go past the storage units and take the first left on 140th.  Follow this until you see the Middle-Middle road and take a left.  The road forks and you can go left or right (right is better).  Follow this until you reach the put-in, right before the concrete bridge.  This would be a very difficult hitch hike, but I know folks who run the shuttle (6 miles aprox)

The takeout is indicated by powerlines overhead.  Look for signage on left.

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