Beckler River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beckler River |
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The Beckler River at the Beckler River Campground near Skykomish
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Where the Beckler River joins the South Fork Skykomish River in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Counties | King, Snohomish |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Near Jack Pass Cascade Range 47°52′36″N 121°19′16″W / 47.87667°N 121.32111°W |
| River mouth | South Fork Skykomish River 47°42′54″N 121°20′21″W / 47.71500°N 121.33917°W |
| Length | 13 mi (21 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 60 sq mi (160 km2) |
The Beckler River is a river in Washington state, United States. It is a tributary (a smaller river that flows into a larger one) of the South Fork Skykomish River.
The Beckler River starts near Jack Pass in the Cascade Range. It flows southeast for about 5 miles (8.0 km). Here, the Rapid River, its most important branch, joins it. Then, the Beckler River flows generally south for about 8 miles (13 km) until it empties into the South Fork Skykomish River.
The upper part of the Beckler River flows through a narrow, steep valley. Tall, thick forests cover the valley, with mountains rising 4,000 feet (1,200 m) or more above it. Further down, the river valley becomes a bit wider. In its last half-mile, the valley opens up into the larger South Fork Skykomish valley. The only town nearby is Skykomish.
Most of the smaller streams that feed the Beckler River are like fast mountain streams. They have many waterfalls and rapids, flowing through narrow channels with lots of rocks and boulders. The Rapid River is similar at its start, but it becomes calmer in its last 3 to 4 miles (4.8 to 6.4 km). Much of the land around the Rapid River has been used for logging (cutting down trees).
A large part of the Beckler River's area is inside the Wild Sky Wilderness. However, the main river itself is not in this wilderness area. The Rapid River's area is within both the Wild Sky Wilderness and the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. Parts of the Rapid River itself are in both wilderness areas. Both wildernesses are part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Forest Service Road 65, also called the Beckler River Road, runs north from U.S. Route 2. It follows the river to Jack Pass and connects to Forest Service Road 63, the North Fork Skykomish Road.
Contents
Journey of the Beckler River
The Beckler River begins south of Jack Pass. This area is west of Frog Mountain and east of Bear Mountain in the central North Cascades.
River's Path and Joining Streams
As the Beckler River flows south, it picks up several smaller streams:
- Evergreen Creek joins from the east.
- Boulder Creek, which flows from Boulder Lake, joins from the west.
- Bullbucker Creek joins from the east.
- Fourth of July Creek, a longer stream coming from Fourth of July Lake, joins from the west.
- The Rapid River, the main tributary, joins from the east.
- Further downstream, Johnson Creek and Harlan Creek join from the east.
Landmarks Along the Way
The river flows past Eagle Rock to the west and Beckler Peak to the east. Eagle Creek, which starts near Eagle Lake, joins from the west. Eagle Lake and Paradise Meadow are close to Barclay Lake, a popular hiking spot near Mount Baring.
Lower River and Mouth
Below Eagle Creek, the Beckler River valley gets wider. The Beckler River Campground is located on the banks of the lower river. Shortly after the campground, the Beckler River flows into the South Fork Skykomish River near the town of Skykomish.
History of the Beckler River Area
The Beckler River is named after Elbridge H. Beckler. He was the chief engineer for the Great Northern Railway from 1889 to 1893. This railway built tracks across the country. The nearby Beckler Peak is also named after him.
Early Mapping and Exploration
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the USGS started a huge project. They mapped the Cascade Mountains north of Snoqualmie Pass. The Beckler River area was mapped in 1902 by W.C. Guerin.
Prospectors (people looking for valuable minerals) had already explored this region by the 1890s. Discoveries of minerals led to booms (times of fast growth) in the late 1800s, especially in places like Monte Cristo. One way to get to Monte Cristo was from Index via the North Fork Skykomish River. The Beckler River offered another path, over Jack Pass, to reach the North Fork Skykomish River. Prospectors explored the Beckler River region during the early 1890s.
Wildlife in the Beckler River
The Beckler River is home to different types of salmon. These include Chinook and coho salmon.
Salmon Spawning Areas
Chinook salmon mainly lay their eggs (spawn) in the Beckler River and the lower part of the Rapid River. Coho salmon use shallower side channels of the Beckler River and some small streams to spawn. Adult salmon are helped by a special operation. This operation catches them and moves them over a barrier on the lower South Fork Skykomish River. This helps them reach their spawning grounds.
Streams Joining the Beckler River
Here are some of the streams that flow into the Beckler River, listed from downstream to upstream:
- Bolt Creek
- Eagle Creek
- Eagle Lake
- Johnson Creek
- Bertha Lake
- Rapid River
- Meadow Creek
- North Fork Rapid River
- Fourth of July Creek
- Bullbucker Creek
- Boulder Creek
- Boulder Lake
- Evergreen Creek
