BoaterTalk: BoaterTalk: On your crowded runs in other parts of the country, are there times when the rafts don't come down?

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On your crowded runs in other parts of the country, are there times when the rafts don't come down? New

Forum: BoaterTalk
Date: Jul 21 2008, 20:22 GMT
From: arrmike

On the California message board, there are some kayakers complaining about crowding and raft/hardboat conflicts on the SF American.

And they should complain, because on weekends especially, it's boat to boat down the river. It is a nice class III canyon though, it's not roadside so it's kind of a shame that it sees 100,000 or so commercial customers a year.

However, there's a 4-5 hour dam release, and 90% of the rafters are all on the same 2 hours of the flow (putin at noon, take out at 3:30).

I suggested putting in at 3 or 4 and floating the canyon in the afternoon and evening. Every time I've done this, I've seen wildlife and had a nicer time on the water.

That idea didn't fly with the other kayakers.

So my question is in other parts of the country, do you have the luxury of hopping on the a busy run in the afternoon instead of morning/midday and avoiding almost all of the crowds?
Is there a reason I'm not seeing why this is not a good suggestion for people who don't like said crowds?

Mike