St. Louis

Most boaters are quite content to just look at this slot/drop (from the river-left parking area) before carrying across the highway bridge to put in down the river-right road embankment. When flows are right, a few intrepid boaters will take the challenge of running this chaotic slot. Each year, as part of a weekend river festival, numerous boaters take on this challenge. Results are about a 50/50 mix of successful runs vs. total meltdown munchings.

Viewable from the CR210 bridge, the first rodeo hole is a pourover as the river is squeezed between flanks of rock. There are some shallow rocks to contend with, but a good pool below offers repeat play.

Approximately 1/4 mile downstream from Hwy.210, a trestle spans the river. This former rail line is now the multi-use 'Munger Trail', affording hikers, bikers and roller-bladers an impressive view of the gorge. This paved 'rail-trail' connects to the outskirts of Duluth, and makes a fine recreational alternative for non-paddlers, or paddlers taking an 'off-river' day. There is a fairly steady 2% grade downhill from Thomson to Duluth. (Or, conversely, a steady 2% uphill grade from Duluth to Thomson.)

The old railroad bridge on the Munger Trail (as well as some overlooks on the river-left bank) provide good overhead viewing of the Second Rodeo Hole in the heart of the gorge.

Multiple options exist here:

LEFT-CHANNEL

(1) Staying to the left of the island, stay tight to the left shore:

You'll probably want to scout this (if you haven't ahead of time), but be careful of poison ivy on shore!

This line starts with a drop through a pourover between shore and a large boulder choking the channel. Boaters may be backendered out of the hole at its base before paddling across a short, highly aerated pool.

The usual route then drops (to the right) out of this hanging pool, over a short ledge, into a mush of water coming from 'The Taint'. An alternate route staying tight to the left wall is not advised, as it contains a couple of 'power-piton' rocks.

(2) Left of the main island, but keeping more center-river: 'The Taint'

You'll likely want to scout this by beaching on the island and carefully walking the irregular splines of rock to get a view of the steep slide called 'The Taint'.

Regardless which of the above two options is taken, before reaching the swinging bridge, one more ledge/wave/hole exists. Do not be deceived by this rather innocuous looking ledge. It is particularly hungry, often munching boats until their owners abandon them. Skirt it to river-right or paddle hard off the left.

RIGHT-CHANNEL

(3) Staying to the right of the large island, keeping to the left shore as you round the backside of the island:

Take out on the left bank (the island) to scout the falls. This has been run at some high flows, but generally contains some wicked, meaty pourovers and holes that love to just munch boaters (and most boaters will prefer option#4 below).

(4) Staying to the right of the large island, keeping to the right shore as you round the backside of the island:

Take out on the right bank to scout the vertical falls, which drops (12-15') into the outflow from option#3 above.

This vertical falls is usually run fairly close to the right shore, off a slight sloping lip, angled slightly right to plunge into the pool below. Great air! Note that this river right waterfall is only runnable at levels over approximately 1800 cfs.

A short channel brings you to the swinging bridge, and rejoins the flow from the other side of the island (options#1&2) above.

The Swinging Bridge is the usual low-water, high-water, or less-than-advanced paddler takeout.

Downstream of Swinging Bridge, about 600' of minor rapids ends in a playful hole (with pretty fair pool) known as Playpen. Be aware that below this pool, action picks up significantly as one enters a long, difficult rapid.