Genesee

Immediately below Lower Falls is The Inner Gorge, a 200-yard long segment of the river confined between the vertical walls of a deep gorge.
Paddlers are allowed to run the river from the base of the Lower Falls, but they are not permitted to putin anywhere except at Lee's Landing.
Thus, you must paddle and portage upstream from Lee's Landing through The Inner Gorge to get to the base of Lower Falls.
Vertical gear & ropes are needed. At stage 10.0 feet and higher, it is impossible to access The Inner Gorge.

Approximately 1/4-mile upstream from Lee's Landing is The Sluice, a narrowing against the river right wall where the river funnels through a sluice. This play spot is best at stage 9.0 feet and higher. The Sluice is best for super-sonic surfing, micro-eddy hopping, and nuclear-powered stern squirts.

There is only one legal putin, at Lee's Landing. From the calm pool at Lee's Landing, one can either paddle upstream or downstream. Upstream you will find The Inner Gorge (including Lower Falls) and The Sluice. Downstream is The Loop and the standard run all the way to Saint Helena.

Immediately downstream of the pool at Lee's Landing, the river plunges down a relatively narrow 200-foot long cascade with a complex and surging wave train. This stretch is perhaps the wildest rapid on the Genesee River below Lee's Landing. At high water (Stage 13 feet), these waves can be over 15 feet high. If this rapid doesn't excite you, then you should probably hike back up the hill and head home.

Edit/Update: Flooding in 2016 widened Entrance Rapid and mellowed out its former glory.  It's now more comparable to the gorge rapids - a long stretch of bolders and cobbles that has the same amount of drop, but none of the surf, and is more of a bump and grind below 9.5'.  Above Entrance, is a pool called 'warm up' that has some great surf at >10.5'.

This rapid derives its name from a red ball that is suspended on a wire over the end of the rapid.

Immediately after Entrance Rapid the river turns left into this 150-yard stretch of whitewater with about two dozen great surfing waves and holes.

These waves are great surfing at 10.5 feet. At 11.5 feet this becomes a heavy class III run, with large waves and a stopper hole. At 13 feet this stopper hole is monstrous.

Although Lunch Rock is no longer there, this rapid still retains the name. Past Red Ball there is a long stretch of flat water before entering Lunch Rock Rapid. A major wave/hole is located here. Below 9.0 feet the hole is too shallow. At 9.5 feet it's a fun little surfing wave with a deep pocket but is little else. At 10.5 feet, it is a small but powerful hole that offers a real bite. At 11.5 feet, the right channel opens up, offering some nice surfing, and the hole in the left channel becomes a stupendous surf wave.

Further downstream it is the scenery, not the whitewater, that is interesting. The photo at the top of this page shows this section of the river.

The takeout is located at Saint Helena. The dirt road here is not obvious, so keep your eyes open. It is a long hike up the hill to the parking lot. Occasionally the rafting company will give you a ride on their shuttles from the water's edge to the parking lot. Be sure to thank them profusely.