Sandy

This section used to be a total favorite of mine and really, it still is. That said it is NOT a good 'step up' run because it is sievy, undercut, and always seems to have dangerous wood. This run is for people with solid class IV or better skills that just want to play.

I just scanned the AW ratings of the rapids and based on yesterday's run the ratings are questionable. Revenue is certainly not a 4-, it's more like a 4+. Anyway, judge for yourself, don't trust a website or a guidebook, because this run is constantly changing.

Based on yesterday's run and a study of the Marmot gauge, I'd say old flow parameters are out the window: we're starting fresh. They just recalibrated the gauge so it's not going to go back to the way it was.

Yesterday's gauge reading of 660 used to be what I would consider too low, but yesterday we were able to complete the run without portages AND there were some great playspots.

The log jam goes on left or right, just don't screw up. The first class 3+ is different--going down the left is 4ish now, making a move to the far right after the hole keeps it at a 3. Boulder drop is passable for hardshells by going far left under the cliff, then cutting right before the sieve to get back in the main flow and run the bottom drop which has a stouter hole than before. There is no good option for inflatables. Rasp rock has eased up with a splash-free line down the right. Drainhole has multiple possible lines and a huge root ball stuck in Door #2 which would kill a swimmer. Door #3 is open and more fun than before.

Revenue Rapid at low water is still a steep, narrow, shallow luge ride down to the wall on the right, after which you must pick a side of the sharp rock. Again, there is no good option for an inflatable at low water: don't even try. The photo already posted here is of the bottom drop of Revenue which does not explain the situation in the top part. I will share a photo of the rock-infested top part.

For a paddler with the right skills this is a playground. For a boater in the wrong craft or without the requisite skills, this gorge deserves its reputation and should be avoided.

Boulder drop still blocked, our group managed to portage a raft over the boulders river left but it was a bit hair raising getting in there due to potential consequences, the process however was pretty straight forward and kayaks were able to make sneak on far left.

The Marmot gauge is currently wrong, it read about 370, but we found it had about twice as much water.  A better correlation right now is to subtract the Bull Run flow from the Sandy below Bull Run, at least until the rains come and side creeks start distorting that calculation.  As reported on social media previously, a large boulder has fallen into the normal left line at Boulder Rapid creating a serious hazard. At this flow, 80 to 90% of the flow deflects right off of this boulder and into the undercut.  I understand that at higher flows a few people have successfully negotiated this, but at lower flows it's unreasonable and possibly fatal to attempt.  The left slot on the right route is currently open, the narrow slot just to the right has wood in it that apparently is hidden by higher flows so keep that in mind.  The portage on the left seemed a little trickier than usual due to some extra rockfall.  If the portage gets blocked by wood - which has happened - and the right slot gets blocked by wood - which happens - you could find yourself with a serious dilemma.  Years ago, someone got cliffed out on the right bank after a swim and had to be rescued by ropes from above after a helicopter attempt knocked a rock down on top of him and broke some bones.

Ran this section 5/30/22 at 3000 cfs. Really fun section. Flipped the raft at boulder rapid and swam through rasp rock. Drainhole was super vicious looking, and we did the portage on the right bar. The team decided to portage Revenue, as they weren't ready for a repeat swim. Had a blast, and definitely going to do again.

We ran this yesterday at about 370 and had a great time, plenty of water still. There is a good sneak route down the left bank at '64 Logjam so no need to portage. The rapid about 1/4 mile above Boulder with the skinny chute on the far left next to the big overhang has changed so you don't have to pick-up your boat to get to it. Also, there are two clean routes if you run the main line, go figure. Boulder is fine, you just need to be assertive to stay on-line if you run left. Stay far left as you make the last drop as there is a rock in the middle of the landing off the boof ledge. There is some new wood at water level on the right line, will try to take a better look at it this week. Low water makes the right run less intimidating if the slot next to the big boulder is clear. Drain Hole was pretty friendly, water is not pushing into the center boulder like it has been and all the wood is gone. One of our group ran Upper Revenue and did well and there was a choice of routes left/right/center at Lower Revenue. A fine way to spend a warm summer day!

New Rocks in Revenue! A sharp rock has fallen off the cliff on the right and is in the main flow where the water runs along the wall at the exit of the top part of the rapid. At 950 cfs this rock is flush with the water's surface and hard to see. There is some new wood also. The new rock and wood require that the paddler be in control and make one more move to the left to successfully run the rapid. There is another new rock blocking the old 'Dog Leg' route. The hazard quotient of Revenue Rapid has increased another notch. This is a dangerous rapid, hard to scout but with a good portage on river left. Also, the wood in Drainhole is still there. It is runnable but many people are portaging due to the risk. Also, at 900cfs it took us 1 hour to float down to Dodge Park to takeout, and there is a fine route between Dodge and Marmot making the shuttle about the same length as shuttling to Revenue. Good option.

Hey yall, just wanted to share: a large tree was hung up in Drain hole as of a week ago. It extended from door #3 (see above beta) out into the main flow. Water that day was 2100. Hard saying if the drop in water would cause it to fall out, and if it did would it make it through the corner. We felt it was an obvious portage, with a high likelihood of getting pushed into the tree and low reward if you did avoid it. Give it a look from river right as left side scouting appeared 'possible'. We noted no other wood issues... well, of course the giant Log Jam ;-)

It is still advisable for groups to rendezvous in Sandy (at the Safeway or similar) to consolidate into the minimum number of vehicles and change into boating garb, in order to minimize time spent and nudity at the takeout parking area at the mouth of Kubitz road.