Westwater in a day

[thatguy]

So how is kayaking Westwater in a day at current flows, about 4200? Anyone know about how many hours of paddling that might be? Would there still be time to stop and play?

[bill]

can't rember how long it takes. i have done it two days running at lower flows and there was plenty of time to play both days and then drive back to laramie.

[Steve Zizzou]

I recommend staying over at one of the sites (lower little d is nice) and taking your time to go down. Probably won't be too much time to play if you are attempting to do it in a day. The paddle out in the flats take some time.

[woodboat75]

Run your shuttle the night before, than you have all day on the water and it will be plenty of time to play.

[El Flaco]

At 4200, count on about 6 hours of paddling- 2 hours in to the Marble Canyon, an hour through the meat, and about 2.5 to three to get out (3+ if you have a spud boat). Add any play time, and then subtract your total from 4:30pm if you really don't want to paddle out in the dark. The paddle out isn't really that bad because the river gets a little channelized at low water. I think the lowest I've done was a 2200 cfs day trip in February one year, and we were done before dark. But, we didn't play much because of the cold.

Start early, but you could start as late as 10am.

[thatguy]

Thanks for the info, what playspots should I plan on hitting to get the most bang for my buck, so to speak, since time will of the essence? And is paddling out in the dark a bad idea, is the takeout easy to spot and are the last few miles literally flatwater?

[Smokey Carter]

I think the play is almost washed out at that level eh? Bowling Alley and Sock it To Me (both after SKull) are your best bets.......I think

[woodboat75]

Little D! It will be more of a hole than a wave, but definately the best spot at this level. It is a little tough to get into it with a slow (spud)boat though. Have fun!

[JCKeck1]

Piece of cake....No problem to paddle it in a day. Play all you want. I commend you for gettin in there in the winter. I've paddled it every month September - April and always made it. I've definitely paddled out in the dark, but it's not bad - just make sure to be safe, very very safe. Little D is the best play, but it's better with lower water and you'll have to hike it every time at this level.

[El Flaco]

Don't forget that there's a fun little wave-hole at the very top-left part of Marble Canyon.

Paddling out in the dark shouldn't be a problem- there aren't any features that will get you, and I'd be surprised if you passed the boat ramp.