Beckler River

Beckler River
Beckler River at the Beckler River Campground near Skykomish
Location of the mouth of the Beckler River in Washington Show map of Washington (state) Beckler River (the United States) Show map of the United States
Etymology	Elbridge H. Beckler
Location
Country	United States
State	Washington
Counties	King, Snohomish
Physical characteristics
Source	Near Jack Pass
• location	Cascade Range
• coordinates	47°52′36″N 121°19′16″W / 47.87667°N 121.32111°W / 47.87667; -121.32111[1]
Mouth	South Fork Skykomish River
• coordinates	47°42′54″N 121°20′21″W / 47.71500°N 121.33917°W / 47.71500; -121.33917[1]
Length	13 mi (21 km)[2]
Basin size	60 sq mi (160 km2)[3]
Discharge
• location	near Skykomish[4]
• average	605 cu ft/s (17.1 m3/s)[4]
• minimum	51 cu ft/s (1.4 m3/s)
• maximum	17,100 cu ft/s (480 m3/s)

The Beckler River is a tributary of the South Fork Skykomish River in the U.S. state of Washington in the United States.

The Beckler River originates near Jack Pass and flows southeast about 5 miles (8.0 km) where it is joined by the Rapid River, its principal tributary. The Beckler then flows generally south for about 8 miles (13 km) to empty into the South Fork Skykomish River.

The upper portion of the Beckler River flows through a narrow, steep, and densely forested valley with slopes rising 4,000 feet (1,200 m) and higher over the valley floor. Over its lower course the river valley widens slightly. In its last half-mile the valley opens out into the South Fork Skykomish valley. The only community in the region is Skykomish.^[2]

Nearly all the Beckler River's tributaries, with the notable exception of Rapid River, exhibit steep mountain character with numerous cascades and rapids in narrow channels, boulders, and rocky bottoms. The Rapid River is similar in its upper portion, but moderates in its final 3 to 4 miles (4.8 to 6.4 km). Much of the Rapid River's drainage basin has been logged.^[2]

Much of the Beckler River's drainage basin is within the Wild Sky Wilderness, although the main river itself is not. The Rapid River's basin is within the Wild Sky Wilderness and the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. Parts of the main Rapid River itself are in both wildernesses. Both wildernesses are part of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Forest Service Road 65, the Beckler River Road, runs north from U.S. Route 2 following the river to Jack Pass and connecting to Forest Service Road 63, the North Fork Skykomish Road.