Hopeville Canyon is a rare treat, seldom runnable in recent dry years. After several days of constant rain, with the river falling rapidly, a few paddlers convened to catch it: Jim P, Miki K, Barb B, John S, Peter R, and Lisa L (ringleader) in kayaks, and Court O paddling a packraft. The day was sunny with a deep blue sky. With the promise of excellent scenery and only 2 additional miles, we agreed to take out at the Smokehole Rd. bridge downstream of the takeout for Hopeville Canyon. We were delayed setting shuttle when Peter arrived with a punctured tire, but with Miki’s sharp eye, Court’s plug kit and know-how, and Peter’s tire inflator, he was able to get on the river knowing he’d be able to drive home.
We put on at the triangular cave and soon entered the canyon, one of the most beautiful stretches of river in our area. The scenery changes from pastoral to orange-tinted rock walls draped with bright green vegetation. There’s no hint of the road beyond the canyon wall. The river winds around outcroppings of rock and occasionally piles up against the right wall. At this level the rapids are mostly class 2 and 2+ with short pools. We encountered no problematic strainers. Landslide Rapid is free of wood. The usual strategy is to eddy out on the far left, move to an eddy on the far right to get a good look at the rest of the rapid, then pick a line through boulders to finish. A fun class 3. The other Class 3 rapid was the natural dam or ledge right before the Hopeville takeout. The dam/ledge can be avoided by taking a right channel around an island well above the dam. Three of the group took that route. Four of us continued down the main channel. The line is on the far right against the island and involves punching an intimidating reactionary curler as you drop into the chute. Fortunately, it’s more benign than it looks, kicking the boats exactly where they needed to go.
The group reassembled in the pool below and continued toward the Smokehole Rd. bridge. And continued and continued. This stretch is class 1-2 with longer pools between rapids, mostly wavetrains. The first rapid is vigorous and more like the rapids upstream. We floated looking up at pale rock escarpments (Tuscarora quartzite?) rising from forested mountains high above the river. Because we hadn’t stopped for a snack - we put on late and were expecting a shorter trip - we arrived at the takeout bridge a bit tired and hungry. Google Maps measures that lower stretch as 3.4 miles, for a total trip distance of 7.9 miles. Good company, great weather, gorgeous scenery, and an interesting variety of rapids made it a memorable day.