Gunny Gorge: Chukar question and surf question

[deepsouthpaddler]

I am taking my family on an overnight Gunny Gorge trip this weekend. Levels are 1300 cfs and have been kept there. I am taking my kayak and will paddle along with the rafts. Is carrying my boat with a backpack rig a better option than dragging the boat? If the trail is not too step, dragging seems like a good option, but I am not sure how steep it is. Any thoughts? Also, any beta on rapids with good surfing at these levels? If so, I would like to ask the raft guides to eddy out as we hit these rapids so that I can surf for a while. Since my family is the only group on the trip and we have ample time on the river, I think that they won't mind stopping. Any info appreciated!

[whip]

I took my raft down 3 weeks ago. The trail is very well maintained with tons
of water bar steps made from timbers and rock. I don't think you'll find a lot of surf but you may want to camp where you can hike one of the fun rapids
for a few laps. No one had been thru for 3 days prior to us. Smith Fork was a pretty side canyon hike. Call the outfitter and see if you can toss your boat
on the pack horse. It's definitely at least a mile with switchbacks to the river.

[pbowman]

if you have the yak back pack, i would use it. there are spots along the trail where dragging does not work due to the narrow bench of the trail into the hill side, and you will have to shoulder it in those areas. it is not a terrible hike, but i personally have vowed that next time i will be getting a back pack rig.

as for surf, i don't recall any outstanding spots in any particular rapids, but there were a few along the way. i lost my glasses half way down last time through, so everything litterally blurred together. we ran it this spring around 1400, it was entertaining but nothing crazy. should be a great family over nighter.

[Geezer]

I've been down there and dragged my boat each time and it works OK. It's not very steep except one section but they have the waterbar steps in there so it's fine. If you drag your boat just make sure you stay ahead of it on the steeper sections or it will run into the back of your ankles and it hurts. yeowch.

[ChrisKelly]

I have carried my open boat in. It is a long walk with a canoe but very doable.

[kayapelli]

If you can carry your boat out of Waterton canyon, then you can easily just shoulder you boat and carry it down. The women that I have paddled the gorge with have all just shouldered their boats and carried them down. Just suck it up and carry your boat.

[steven]

gunny gorge has actually been holing around 3350 for a while now...

oopps, old post

[milo]

...now's the time to go get the GORGE....flows are close to 6k...good surf, mellow rapids....faster trip.....it's goin' up...everything else is droppin out due to low temps/snow storms....jrranger420cb....