Malad (aka Big Wood)
1. Glendale Diversion to Richfield Diversion
March 7, 2021
Trip Report
| Reporter | Craig Wolfrom |
I've not run below Magic dam, however, I believe a rating of I/III is misleading and potentially dangerous. The Big Wood River aka Malad River in this section runs through what amounts to a slot canyon. While I'm sure a lot of it is just swirly fun water with a few rapids, there are sections like those just after the river passes under the current Highway 75 bridge (on the East side of the old highway bridge) that have class V/VI drops.
Because of the slot canyon/walled up nature of certain sections, I'm afraid an unexperienced boater might not be able to get out and scout a dangerous drop like the one mentioned above.