Zigzag

5/24/2017 Ran from the upper end of Tollgate CG to the Sandy River confluence at Lolo Pass Road. Sandy at Marmot was 2200, Sandy below Bull Run 10.5/3200. This flow is probably at the high end of prudent. Eddies are pretty scarce at this level and they disappear entirely with much more water. HIGHLY recommend putting in below the logjam at the lower end of Tollgate CG as there are portages at upper, middle and downstream ends of the CG as well as a blind left that is spooky but runnable (wood on right bank where the only micro-eddy is for stopping/scouting). The only way to stop before the logjam is a tiny, one-boat eddy on the left that you have to know about in advance after a long-stretch of eddy-free water. It is very hairy trying to manage multiple boats approaching this hazard. On a straightaway after a right-bend below the logjam is an easy log-hop on the left which can be scouted from the left bank at the corner. From here to the giant logjam-complex about a mile below the Highway 26/Still Creek confluence the river is completely clean and great fun with the rapid below the Road 20 bridge being the standout. Portaging the big jam is an ordeal (on the right through the woods). Starting the portage 50 yards upstream is better as it becomes more difficult to enter the woods the closer you get to the jam. This is a great flow if you're cautious, scout blind corners and always have your next eddy figured out in advance.