American SF (Kyburz, IV+)_updated

This is my favorite run, although there are not a few people who don't like this run. For this run, shuttle is easy, driving on only hwy 50 for 10 min for 8 miles. The putin is a turnout that is west of Sand Flat Campgound (~50 yard west of the Indian falls rapids). The takeout is the Riverton Bridge on hwy 50. I ran additional ~3 miles from Riverton to Peavine (nice class III~IV) before, but the dirt road condition to the Peavine takeout was terrible in 2009. A friend of mine who has high clearance truck gave up driving to the end.

The mile to mile gradient of this run is 110, 150, 80, 80, 85, 55, 60, 30, very steep in the first two miles. Because of this nature, this run comes to be very hard run at higher flow. I have run at 2000 cfs, it was class V, no question. At 1300 cfs, it was hard class IV+. In the past, some friends of mine swam in the first mile and their boats were gone as far as quarter mile ~ a mile, or even lost.

The second half is mellower, but still has fun rapids Kyburz (III~IV). The putin for the second half section is at the bridge (not hwy bridge), which is 200~300 yards west of the first hwy bridge when you drive from Riverton Bridge to Kyburz.

In memorial day of this year (2010), I took my son, Ken-ya, down this run at 850 cfs and 1100 cfs. At these flows, this run was kind classIV+ and solid classIV+, respectively.

At the Putin. The rapid in the back is Indian Falls rapids (V+ ~ VI). I have not seen anyone ran it.


This log is located at ~ mile 1.5 or mile 2. It has been there since my first run.


Tom running at mile 2~3. 850 cfs.






We want to run left of this rapid, but Ken-ya running the center. 850 cfs.


The hole that Kenya is hitting will be a huge monster hole at 2000 cfs.





The wave was much bigger than what looks like. 850 cfs.


Tom entering a hole. He wanted to make left to right move and paddle through in the right. 850 cfs.


Tom being stuck in the hole. He escaped w/o swimming. Nicely done!


After this moment, Kenya was stuck in the hole as well, no swim. 850 cfs.


On the next day, Kenya running the same rapid as above at 1100 cfs.


























Jared being stuck in the hole for a certain period of time.


In the hole shown above, Ken-ya was stuck as well. He did not swim, but he was depaddled by the hole. No swim thanks to hand roll. He hand-paddling down to me who picked his paddle.







This rapid is the last big one.