Arkansas

The water was low but we still had plenty of fun enjoying the Royal Gorge at approximately 290 cfs. We put on at Parkdale around noon without a shuttle on the faith that we would figure something out in the end in Cañon City. None of us had done the run in over 20 years so we did not remember details but the rapids were relatively straightforward pool-drop rapids that we were able to boat scout without issue. Despite the low flow rapids like Sunshine and Sledgehammer still required class IV skills and featured technical lines. As we were coming through the Narrows we encountered a group in the middle of a boat recovery illustrating what happens if you get too close to the river left wall where large pieces of metal are used to reinforce the railbed. The boat was wedged in a solid 3 point pin and throw ropes and pulleys proved ineffective in moving the boat after about an hour of concerted effort. The paddler was able to flag down the train for a ride out and we all continued on through the gorge. We were at the take-out shortly before 4pm and did manage to find a shuttle back to the put-in.

The new redesign at the Canon City WWP take-out is fantastic.  Even at very low levels it gives up incredible surfing.

When in Canon City for the Open Canoe Slalom Nationals, I organized a quick morning trip through the Gorge.  A local kayaker named Hoka Bob, led another kayaker, Marty from Wisconson, Jerrod and Mike from Alabama paddling plastic OC1's and me, in an Empty Canoes FH (kevlar Ocoee).  Team Alabama was impressive to watch!  Launching off of rocks and doing 540 spins.  Going everywhere I was trying to avoid.

My class III+ paddling had been infrequent the last 2 years but still convinced myself that this was an oppurnity I should not pass up.  I watched some YouTube videos of kayak runs from 1200cfs down to 350cfs.  I was under the impression that the level was around 800cfs, not 1030.  If I had read the trip report from Paxton Jones, I might have thought better of the plans.  Happy to report that everyone, myself included, stayed upright and unscathed.  I would agree with Paxton that it is a bit more serious than the AW discription implies.  Perhaps that is an open boater's perspective.  Perhaps my rusty skills were a factor.  I did seem a touch harder than section II of the Lochsa at similar flows..  in my opinion, a comparable run.

Awesome trip!  Glad I did it!!

Alan B.

Missoula, MT and Bellingham WA

This is NOT class III. If you are not a solid IV boater you have no business in this river. Anyone who tells you this is III you should tell them about a nice play wave called Toilet Bowl in Gore Canyon (that is no more a guaranteed swim than a class III boater in the gorge at moderate flows) Even at 350 cfs this is still IV -...and the last hole in Sunshine remains IV+. A swim here would never be volunteered. At 1500 cfs the whole river is IV+. It becomes a funnel of fast water and in the Narrows especially. if you swim you will find yourself dragging your finger nails along the rock wall or concrete in an attempt to stop for a quarter mile. If you want a comparison the Royal at 350 cfs is very similar to the Zume Flume section of Browns Canyon. At 1500 in the Royal you better be comfortable surfing and rolling in the middle of Zume Flume. If you like Dowd Chute around 1000 cfs you will be right at home in the Royal. As long as you can handle it for 5 miles. Yes, I intend to scare you and protect you. Do not make this run your first 4+

What a great section of the Arkansas! 'Committing class IV run' above should be emphasized. I think Sunshine and Sledgehammer rapids are under estimated in the description here. It seems misleading IMHO to suggest Sunshine is class III below 2000 cfs. I ran the Royal Gorge section for the second time on 3-July-2016, with the Parkdale gauge reporting right at 2000 cfs. My first Royal Gorge run was during the first week of July 2014 at ~1700 cfs. At both cfs levels, I would rate Sunshine as a IV+ rapid, comparable to Pillow Rock and Iron Ring on the Upper Gauley. I consider even the left side of Sledgehammer to be solid, big water class IV at these flows. I understand the class III rating for the remainder of the gorge, but paddlers should be aware that in the 1700-2000 cfs range there are continuous 4-5+ ft standing waves, with very few eddys, for approximately 3 miles starting in the Narrows. Swims here could easily be on the order of a mile or more. Don't forget to look up!

Looking upstrean into the heart of the Gorge.

The royal gorge is a good nearly year round paddle fun even at very low 'unrunnable or dry' levels (i.e. 200). It gets creeky but the character of the canyon changes, beaches emerge and the crowds disappear. And I highly doubt there is any ice as is currently reported (yesterday high/low was 67/42)

Trip down Royal Gorge

Long and technical

Eastern paddler lovin' Western whitewater
Great level for a first time run
After 45 minute scout Jeff nails the right line, and he was first.
Go right and get hammered

Photo courtesy of and copyright by www.allaboutrivers.com.

Guilty of high sticking.
Third day on the Ark. Life is good!

Kobak makes it through Sunshine

Sunshine Rapid
Flow 375 CFS
08/22/2020