Race water level is at an ADVANCED boater level roughly 600-650 CFS on the USGS Old Portage Gauge (recent rainfall can cause gauges to give irregular readings, always scout first). The local "donogauge" installed across from the old Sheraton Dam house will read roughly 1 ft 4 inches and is the most accurate way to gauge the water flow through the rapids.
The race begins under the Portage Trail Bridge with 450 yards of Class II waves. When arriving at the Sheraton Hotel, paddlers prepare for Rookie Drop, an 8-foot, Class III waterfall. Just 75 yards later paddlers have to prepare for the Class V rapid Welcome to the Jumble. It's a 10-foot waterfall, immediately followed by a rock Jumble containing pin hazards, sieves, and undercut rocks. After navigating the Jumble, paddlers continue on for another 300 yards of Class II waves. The last 75 yards to the finish line consists of the Class II Weeping Cliff Rapids. The Finish is a massive 20+ foot rock, named in the late 1800s as "Anchor Rock", on river left.
The race course is approximately a 1/2 mile. Paddlers must continue on for a 1 mile scenic flat water cruise to the takeout, located under the Front Street Bridge on River Left near Gorge Metro Park.
The race begins under the Portage Trail Bridge with 450 yards of Class II waves. When arriving at the Sheraton Hotel, paddlers prepare for Rookie Drop, an 8-foot, Class III waterfall. Just 75 yards later paddlers have to prepare for the Class V rapid Welcome to the Jumble. It's a 10-foot waterfall, immediately followed by a rock Jumble containing pin hazards, sieves, and undercut rocks. After navigating the Jumble, paddlers continue on for another 300 yards of Class II waves. The last 75 yards to the finish line consists of the Class II Weeping Cliff Rapids. The Finish is a massive 20+ foot rock, named in the late 1800s as "Anchor Rock", on river left.
The race course is approximately a 1/2 mile. Paddlers must continue on for a 1 mile scenic flat water cruise to the takeout, located under the Front Street Bridge on River Left near Gorge Metro Park.
