The run itself is short and sweet, starting with a nice set of warm up rapids, which then lead to 4 big class IV rapids. The wide riverbed allows for a choice of lines on pretty much all rapids, and given that you will likely do multiple laps, be sure to explore the options. There are a few spots to avoid, and swimming would be an unpleasant experience if done in the lower half of the run as the final 3 rapids flow together with little respite in between. Flows will also provide very different experiences. At low levels you may be surprised to find sticky holes where at higher levels existed fun crashing waves, so be sure to travel wisely if the level is a new one to you.
Before you put on you can walk down the road to the left of the parking lot to get a glimpse of the largest rapid – Tetanus. If this doesn’t look like your idea of fun it may be best to not suit up.
The warm up is fun and starts just a hundred feet downstream of the put-in. A handful of nicely spaced class III rapids let you surf and move around the river. These continue as you come around the first corner to the top of Tetanus Schott. Tetanus is the biggest rapid on the run and is best scouted from the right. At most levels the crux is avoiding a sticky hole placed perfectly in the middle of the rapid at the bottom with only small lines to the left and right allowing safe passage. At its stickiest the hole can give some solid rides and often results in a swim. Fortunately there is 100 yards of moving water below in which to collect the pieces. At higher levels the crux is threading the needle between two holes in the middle of the rapid and then holding tight over the big crashing waves in the runout.
After Tetanus and the short section of flat moving water, come the next 3 rapids, which are stacked in quick succession. These are somewhat difficult to scout but can be done from river right or left. The first of these involves avoiding a hole on the left at the beginning, punching through a crashing hole at the end on the right and then catching the eddy on river left to set up for the final two rapids. Be aware here that 100 yards below this rapid on river right is an unpleasant looking hole that could have some real teeth at higher flows.