Dead

quick trip report for 1300cfs:
Three of us put on at 9:30 and set our own shuttle. One paddler had two swims: one in the first rapid that was just nerves coming into play and tightening him up…and then he swam about 1/2 of lower poplar before I got him to shore. We didn't get his boat back until almost the end of that rapid so he had a little hike to catch up to us.
The other paddler (there were three of us on the river) got caught in a little (shallow) hole about halfway through the run and he pulled his skirt because he was having a hard time rolling up. He self rescued about twenty feet below where he swam.
The run is quite shallow in spots and except for the Poplars would be a great intro run. The only thing I could think of and what I hammered home a few times to the new paddler is that if he swims, he needs to get into a feet up position until you are heading for an eddy. I think foot entrapment is a real risk at this level.
The bulk of the run is a casual boulder dodge. Poplars are solid class III and a bit bigger than the rest of the run.
There really isn't any play on this run (meaning eddy service play hole or wave). There are tons of spots to practice ferrying, eddying out, peel outs, and general boat control. The water is slow enough that if you blow your line you can correct it easily.
We took out at the public parking area above Webb's at 3pm…without any play stops and a short 10 minute snack break. So it was a long day, but sunny and 75 good company.
FWIW this would be a really nice open boat trip or good beginner to intermediate run with the caveat that foot entrapment is a real concern and with so many boulders you could get a boat pinned on something pretty easily and have to deal with that.
cheers,
Peter