Corner Pocket

Corner Pocket is a common regrouping spot in the Royal Gorge and offers a couple good eddies. There is an eddy above the corner on river right, followed by another behind the rock wall on the right that can hold a large number of boats. The feature is defined by two prominent rocks: Soda Rock (with a pillow called Soda Fountain), located near river center, and Picnic Rock, which protrudes from river right and is visible from upstream where the canyon briefly widens. From roughly 2,000 to 3,500 cfs, Corner Pocket can be run either left or right of Soda Rock. The left line is the more conservative option: break through the lateral, stay left of the rock, and you will generally wash into an eddy below. As flows rise above about 3,500 cfs, Soda Rock begins to submerge and forms a large, retentive hole in the center of the river, making the left line the only reliable option. The right line is available at lower and medium flows and becomes the only route below about 2,000 cfs. Run right of Soda Rock with a strong rightward angle to avoid being pushed into the wall on river right. This line also provides access to the eddy behind Picnic Rock and the beach below, which is a popular stopping spot. At flows above 4,000 cfs, avoid catching the right eddy behind Picnic Rock, as re-entering the river can become difficult and may require a short portage downstream.