School me on where to go for Whitewater river rafting

[proskier101]

I want to go rafting this summer on a day trip. I am looking for class II-IV rapids. Ive been searching moab but I cant find any 1 day trips that list the class of rapids. I did find a bunch in Idaho but that is an 8 hour drive. I am not opposed to it but I would like to find a closer place to go.


Where have ya'll been?

 

[BCGPER]

Jackson Wyoming, on the Snake.

 

[proskier101]

Jackson Wyoming, on the Snake.

I cant seem to find any big rapids in that area

 

[JL Rockies]

I've gone on the Gallatin River. Summer and big rapids don't mix though since rapids are fueled by melt and by summer most has been melted away especially with the light winter we've had. I am going this summer but I expect to have to get out and walk on more than one occassion. Strap on a wet suit and go in the spring!

 

[gahi]

Westwater is a fun one.

 

[Spork]

I cant seem to find any big rapids in that area

I believe they are class 2 or 3 rapids, you put in about 12 miles from Jackson and float for about 6-8 miles. Lunch counter or the Big Kahuna are the big rapids depending on how high or low flow is depends on which one is worse. During High water Lunch counter gets bad and during low water the Big Kahuna is bad.
There are various rafting companies if you are looking for a guided trip. I would recommend a you-paddle over a sit in the boat and hope things turn out alright. http://www.davehansenwhitewater.com/ I believe was the company I went down with when I worked up there years ago, they had a thing where employees where I worked could go for free if there were spots available.

 

[proskier101]

one of my pirate4x4 buddies said there is a small chance of him going to loscha River in a few weeks. that could be fun. I didnt think about the lack of snow runoff in the summer

 

[solidfrontaxle]

Wind River Canyon starting at Thermopolis, Wy looks like a really fun day trip. Sometimes of year it looks insane.

 

[Toad]

How about snake river canyon between hazelton and twin falls. Place called stars ferry(caldron lynn). I think guys put in at milner dam. Only 3 hrs from slc.

 

[Unimog]

I've never run it personally, but I've heard westwater on the Colorado above Moab would fit your description. Maybe someone will pipe up with first hand experience.

 

[N-Smooth]

only place i've been is on the snake in jackson like mentioned above. it was really cool, lunch counter and big kahuna were so fun that we did it multiple times. there's also some good slow and deep water for just hanging out and relaxing. there's also a cliff diving spot too

 

[mesha]

Pecuare river in costa rica. 27 class 3 or better rapids is 9 miles when went it was during a tropical storm and it was amazing.

 

[proskier101]

Looks like I am headed to Bozeman, MT this weekend to go rafting with another PBB member. Ill report back with the reuslts if I dont die.

 

[roverrocks]

I've never run it personally, but I've heard westwater on the Colorado above Moab would fit your description. Maybe someone will pipe up with first hand experience.

I ran Westwater a few years ago with a brother in law and his wife who do lots of rafting. The flow that year was high and the the rapids such as Skull were frightening and wild and so very, very fast. Low flow years such as 2012 would be much tamer. The scenery is terrific in westwater canyon and you exit the canyon on a slow float into the Cisco Boat Ramp. Westwater will get your blood pumping hard.

 

[proskier101]

FYI the Gallatin River and the Yellowstone river(Yankee Jim Gorge) are a blast!