Deschutes

This 1.5 mile section, referred to by locals as 'Lava', runs all year. Winter flows vary between 500 and 1000cfs. In the summer, levels are typically between 1700 and 2200cfs. This run changes dramatically at higher water

At summer levels, this section consists of two big, pushy, consequential class V rapids, known as Lava 1 and Lava 2. This section is expert only and is a major step up from the Meadowcamp section downstream. Lava at summer levels should only be run by solid class V boaters and even then, following someone who knows the lines is a good idea.

You do not have any warm up once you put in. Lava 1 starts right out of the pool. Lava 1 can be scouted via a trail on river right, but you can't see the whole thing. Most find the best option is to follow someone who can provide good verbal instructions on your first few times down.

Multiple options are available to run Lava 1. The rapid starts out with a swirly entry that can be tough to navigate. Then, the river divides around an island.  Both sides are runnable, but both have tricky moves around serious holes.  The left channel contains a hole known as 'the butthole', which has separated many boaters from their gear and lead to lots of rough swims.  Make sure you hit your boof. The right side goes down a 10-12 foot slide into a big hole. The line is to drive either hard right or left to avoid the meat of the hole. The highest percentage line is generally the right side of the right channel. Line up and paddle hard. Lava 1 leads directly into a fun class IV drop called Cut 'em Up, making any swims very unpleasant.

Cut 'em Up ends in a calm pool above Lava 2. Lava 2 is big, long, and scary. Scouting is tough and doesn't do much good. As above, this is a rapid where following someone who knows the line is the best option.  A wave train leads to the crux move, where you have to get all the way left to avoid 2 huge boulders, then move aggressively back to the center-right to avoid the m

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