Royal Gorge Question

Chief Niwot · 09-26-2006

I have paddled the gorge at 800 and 1100cfs. What is it like at the 400 to 500 range? Is it harder or easier? How does it compare to the Numbers at 400 to 500?

Thanks,

gh · 09-26-2006

I would say that the gorge is harder as it drops from 800. Sunshine get sticky.

Steve Zizzou · 09-26-2006

I would have to say it depends on the rapid you are going through. Sunshine is stickier but 3 rocks is easier. So, it really depends on the rapid and what the level is. I will tell you there are more rocks so its more technical all around. Good luck and god speed!!

danceronhooves · 09-26-2006

how about on new years day? is it there even running water then?

gh · 09-26-2006

3 rocks is on parkdale and not in the gorge but yes i would say its pretty easy at low water

COUNT · 09-26-2006

Did it the other day at 527. As expected, it's a little more technical. Sledgehammer was a little trickier than when it's higher. Wallslammer seems a little easier. But then there's Sunshine. It's really no big deal over 700, so I wasn't really paying attention to where I was in Sunshine. My complacency was rewarded with a mid-run rodeo session in the hole. And that hole is one sticky mofo at this level. I was pretty happy once it finally let me go. I would say Sunshine is harder and the rest is pretty similar in difficulty.

COUNT

Chief Niwot · 09-26-2006

For those who responded, how does it compare to the Numbers?

Thanks,

gh · 09-26-2006

easier cept for sunshine

Id725 · 09-26-2006

Yeah -- Sunshine is even significantly harder at 400 than at 525.
As it drops, that ledge gets steeper and the hole harder to skirt/dodge/boof.
It's nasty all the way down to 275. (Haven't been in there lower than that)

I agree with GH -- generally a little easier run than numbers at 500, except for Sunshine which is harder than anything on Numbers at that flow. Sledgehammer is tricky at that low level, too.

I'm planning to run it on sunday if you're interested.

-Mike

willieWAO · 09-26-2006

Ahhhh Yes. El Giante in sunshine. A formidable hydraulic, indeed. There are some sweeet carn videos of all types of crafts gettin the s*it kicked in that thing. It starts to get a little more creeky as it gets lower. Around 375-450 is when the hole is at its worst. Thats really the only thing to note. The rest should be easy read and run, nice and slow.