Elephant Buttress

Elephant Buttress. This is the highlight of the run. It was changed in 2019 due to construction and rock slide work on the Boulder Canyon highway, and there is still a debate about which Buttress rapid is better. However, the current rapid is fun, big, and exciting! It consists of 3 drops and then a very long, shallow runout. The 1st drop is typically run center left, and it’s best to be in control as the 2nd drop comes up quickly. The 2nd drop is a 6 ft ledge commonly run down the far left side utilizing a flake to boof over the hole. The center line can be run at higher flows with a good boof, but be wary of the right side, as the hole is backed up by a large rock. The 3rd drop can be run down the center, and be ready to hang on as the runout is fast (so keep it straight). Flips and swims here have resulted in injuries and broken boats, so roll quickly. Or better yet, stay upright! At the bottom of the runout, there is a flake boof on river right. If the rock is covered, it’s good to go!