Chickaloon

High Water Run 6/29 to 7/3/2019 Notes: Fly-in to 30 mile strip required solid Class IV+ wilderness boating skills for this high water 3,000 to 6,000 cfs run. Guidebook write-ups & pics are for LOW flow conditions, not high water conditions. Several short high gradient (150 ft/mile +) sections on corners in single channel section (start of which is discernible from the large cliff band visible on the left )after the upper braided section ends are also impacted by debris flows and are blind and pushy-impossible to scout at high flows. Hotel Rocks rapid has dire consequences at high flow with undercuts, sieves, and wood (moving) and the ability to maintain chosen lines is SEVERLY impacted by surging boils created in constricted flowpaths. This creates disproportionate increase in risk relative to the increased difficulty. A full day was needed by 3 people to portage two 14’ oar rigs and a kayak around Hotel Rocks on trail river right. Shorter 8-Mile canyon rapid required time consuming scout to check for wood but required no portage - but would be more difficult to portage if required due to wood. No eddies at this high flow level for most of the run due to high gradient and bank full flow. Be prepared to mentally deal with moving wood and blind corners - expect difficulty in maintaining close contact between multiple water craft. Suggest camping above start of single channel section and using lower morning flows (if summer melt peak) to negotiate described difficulties in a single push with well rigged / outfitted (Dry Suits, zdrag kits) armada. High flow not recommended for Pack Rafts.