Is the Army Corp letting people into the run now? I thought access was closed

I've run the La Grande Canyon at 1100 and 500. Hiked out at 1300 on my first run at X Falls, in retrospect it was doable but I don't regret the decision because downstream there is a crux portage at a landslide. May be difficult at 1300, and it could change anytime. The possibility of an unrunnable/unportageable
situation exists.

1100 is V-V+, 500 is IV-V and still enough water. If there was a release I would advocate for flows of both 1000 and 600 to accommodate different skill levels.

Putin is challenging. You don't have to cross any No Trespassing signs but it requires some bushwhacking. PM me for details. Takeout is a mile+ hike on a legal road just downstream of the powerhouse on river right.

I argued that this run should be in the guidebook. If more paddlers ran it there would be more people to advocate for releases. Decent whitewater and great scenery make this run worth it.

Typically the releases are at 1300 then they occasionally step down the flows over a few days (like right now) so there are rare days where it flows below 1000.


Edited by fiddleyak - 31 Mar 2017 at 7:16pm