I need to have a grand adventure at least every few month to stay sane. August has been full of surprises this year. Last Saturday the 9th after a week of planning what to do with my family. Tim came up with the idea to float the Snake River, between Jackson Hole and Alpine Wyoming. What a great idea.
the big kahuna
First thing is to decide on what to float the river in a raft, a inflatable kayak, or whitewater kayak. I am not really big into whitewater kayaking they scary me. So that is out....raft or inflatable kayak. It really depends on how many people you have since there was only my dad, Tim and me. We went with a tandem ducky kayak for Dad and me. Tim already had his own kayak and gear so he was set. He has a Aire single rubber kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, and dry top & pants. (I stole his dry pants from him.) All that Dad and I needed to rent was the kayak and paddles; we had everything else.
We rented from Rendezvous River Sports in Jackson, Wy. I thought it was very reasonable for what the kayak was renting for about $45.
What do you need when kayaking in a river?
- Inflatable Kayak and Kayak Paddle
- PFD
- Dry top and/or wet suit
- Swim suit of couse
- kayaking booties and gloves are very nice to have.
- Helment helps
- a water bottle
- Lessons
When you do a float it is nice to either A. have two cars or B. have a extra person to be a shuttle. We had B. my brother Frank was the shuttle and camera man. He video tape us on the Big Kahuna. Sorry no pictures at this time.
Before you go floating do a little research on the river. Let me give you a little background on the Snake River. (There is more information here about the Snake River from the Bridger-Teton National Forest website, I found this very useful in telling about different class of rapids and the sections of the river too; they have all kinds of info.)
So here it is:
Floating Sections
"The Bridger-Teton National Forest administers 25 miles of the Snake River from South Park Bridge to Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp. The river has been divided into three floating sections. Each section gets progressively difficult. Several class II and III rapids and various other river features require skill and experience to navigate, particularly at higher river flows. Spring runoff, which usually peaks in June, can increase flows from an annual average of 6,000 to 20-30,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). Remember to check the flow level and pick a section appropriate to your skill level.
Floating Section 1:
This 8.5 mile float from South Park Bridge to Pritchard Boat Launch, offers the novice a generally unobstructed channel with strong eddies. King Rapid will be encountered a mile below the confluence with the Hoback River. The average float time for this section is two hours.
This 8.5 mile float from South Park Bridge to Pritchard Boat Launch, offers the novice a generally unobstructed channel with strong eddies. King Rapid will be encountered a mile below the confluence with the Hoback River. The average float time for this section is two hours.
Floating Section 2:
This 8 mile float from Pritchard Boat Launch to West Table Boat Launch, offers several braided streams, log jams, and shallow, rocky channels to negotiate. Boaters should know how to maneuver around such obstacles prior to floating this section. The average float time for this section is two and a half hours.
This 8 mile float from Pritchard Boat Launch to West Table Boat Launch, offers several braided streams, log jams, and shallow, rocky channels to negotiate. Boaters should know how to maneuver around such obstacles prior to floating this section. The average float time for this section is two and a half hours.
Floating Section 3:
This 8.5 mile section from West Table Boat Launch to Sheep Gulch Boat Launch, offers several class II and III rapids. Boaters should know how to navigate rapids and have experience on high volume rivers. Kayakers should be able to execute an Eskimo roll. There is a class V reversal located at Three Oar Deal Rapid, stay river right! The average float time is one and a half hours.
This 8.5 mile section from West Table Boat Launch to Sheep Gulch Boat Launch, offers several class II and III rapids. Boaters should know how to navigate rapids and have experience on high volume rivers. Kayakers should be able to execute an Eskimo roll. There is a class V reversal located at Three Oar Deal Rapid, stay river right! The average float time is one and a half hours.
The following descriptions cover highlights of the stretch of river known as the "Grand Canyon of the Snake River" which runs from the West Table River Access almost 12 miles to the confluence with the Greys River. All highlights are listed as distance from West Table.
0.8 Station Creek Ledges(II-)
The river flows over outcrops of Aspen sandstone creating a series of ledge hydraulics. At lower water, there can be fun surfing here, and there are several small holes to play in. At high water, most of the rapid is washed out
The river flows over outcrops of Aspen sandstone creating a series of ledge hydraulics. At lower water, there can be fun surfing here, and there are several small holes to play in. At high water, most of the rapid is washed out
1.6 S-Turns/Taco Hole (II+)
Sandstone and limestone ledges of the Gannett Group create a sinuous series of small haystacks in a pool-drop pattern for the next 0.3 miles. At high flows, the currents become rambunctious with very strong eddylines, ideal for squirt boats, and even strong enough to flip some plastic boats end over end. At lower water levels, various small pourovers and holes appear, providing good play spots for side-surfing and pop-ups.
Sandstone and limestone ledges of the Gannett Group create a sinuous series of small haystacks in a pool-drop pattern for the next 0.3 miles. At high flows, the currents become rambunctious with very strong eddylines, ideal for squirt boats, and even strong enough to flip some plastic boats end over end. At lower water levels, various small pourovers and holes appear, providing good play spots for side-surfing and pop-ups.
2.1 Cut Bank Waves (II)
A landslide has constricted the river here, forming a nice set of haystacks, providing good surfing. As the flow increases, so does wave size. The slide has created some big deep pools (along with mile 2.7) followed by easy playful rapids. At high water, one can find very strong eddy-lines, some which can literally throw kayaks and canoes through the air.
A landslide has constricted the river here, forming a nice set of haystacks, providing good surfing. As the flow increases, so does wave size. The slide has created some big deep pools (along with mile 2.7) followed by easy playful rapids. At high water, one can find very strong eddy-lines, some which can literally throw kayaks and canoes through the air.
3.1 Three Oar-Deal (II,V)
At high flows (>12,000 cfs), the hole at Three Oar-deal is possibly the most dangerous on the river. As the river turns to the right, the main current flows over a sandstone ledge protruding from the left, creating a huge and potentially deadly reversal. This unassuming ledge has been the scene of a few horror stories and drowning incidents. The reversal can be easily avoided by maintaining an inside line on the right throughout the turn. At low flows, the dange diminishes as the hole disappears and an innocent looking, partially submerged ledge takes its place.
At high flows (>12,000 cfs), the hole at Three Oar-deal is possibly the most dangerous on the river. As the river turns to the right, the main current flows over a sandstone ledge protruding from the left, creating a huge and potentially deadly reversal. This unassuming ledge has been the scene of a few horror stories and drowning incidents. The reversal can be easily avoided by maintaining an inside line on the right throughout the turn. At low flows, the dange diminishes as the hole disappears and an innocent looking, partially submerged ledge takes its place.
5.3 Blind Canyon Rapid (II)
A nice set of surfing waves, increasing in size with an increase in flow. At most flows, a hole exists at the top of the rapid near the right bank, and becomes sticky as levels drop.
A nice set of surfing waves, increasing in size with an increase in flow. At most flows, a hole exists at the top of the rapid near the right bank, and becomes sticky as levels drop.
5.5 Big Kahuna (II-III)
At high flows (>10,000 cfs) this rapid is washed out. At lower flows, a river wide ledge forms a nice big curler followed by a wave hole in the center. The optimum and elusive flow for the ideal surf on the glassy green curl is somewhere around 7,200 cfs. The curler can be surfed by drifting in from above, and the wave hole can be played in from the eddies below. Easy sneak routes exist on both sides of the curler.
At high flows (>10,000 cfs) this rapid is washed out. At lower flows, a river wide ledge forms a nice big curler followed by a wave hole in the center. The optimum and elusive flow for the ideal surf on the glassy green curl is somewhere around 7,200 cfs. The curler can be surfed by drifting in from above, and the wave hole can be played in from the eddies below. Easy sneak routes exist on both sides of the curler.
5.8 Lunch Counter (II, IV-)
Over about 16,000 cfs, wave height may exceed 10 feet. At over 25,000 cfs, they may actually recede. The turbulence is incredible at this level, and at the tail of the haystacks is a cycling shear wave that can flip rafts and engulf kayakers. Adjacent to the tongue of the rapid are two huge eddies, ideal for pulling over people, boats, coolers, etc.
Over about 16,000 cfs, wave height may exceed 10 feet. At over 25,000 cfs, they may actually recede. The turbulence is incredible at this level, and at the tail of the haystacks is a cycling shear wave that can flip rafts and engulf kayakers. Adjacent to the tongue of the rapid are two huge eddies, ideal for pulling over people, boats, coolers, etc.
6.2 Rope (II-III-)
After the deep pools below Lunch Counter, haystacks suitable for surfing and pop-ups are formed. As the flow decreases a conspicuous breaking wave appears at the head of the rapid.
After the deep pools below Lunch Counter, haystacks suitable for surfing and pop-ups are formed. As the flow decreases a conspicuous breaking wave appears at the head of the rapid.
7.4 Cottonwood (II,III)
The rapid is a series of waves and small ledge-holes scattered across the river, culminating in a set of haystacks a half mile downstream where the river constricts. At very high flows, the wave size can exceed 10 feet, good for playing, surfing, or just staring at in amazement."
The rapid is a series of waves and small ledge-holes scattered across the river, culminating in a set of haystacks a half mile downstream where the river constricts. At very high flows, the wave size can exceed 10 feet, good for playing, surfing, or just staring at in amazement."
I have floated down the river in a raft and now a rubber ducky. I really liked the ducky because you can really hit the waves better and get more wet. Tim was able to surf in his. This river is a great river to go down. Click here for a map.
The river was low went we floated it. The day however was very cold, overcast and a slight wind. Yes it was COLD. It took us about a hour and a half to float. It was pretty busy on the river. If you have never floated the river I would recommend that you do it is so much fun. It was my Dad's first time floating this river. He had a blast.
- Note: If you have no experience floating down a river go with a guided group float. Click here for a list.
The day was great, I was able to drop the kids of with my Mom and brother Dan and the rest of us went on the float. Everyone really enjoyed our day out and able to see the family. Wished Jeff and Andrea were there too maybe next time.
See ya on the river.
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