Originally posted by Slackkinhard
...bummer there isn't access to the campground anymore.
Another way to look at it is that the camping and the access are
improved by the gate. In other worlds, putting on for the Upper (class IV) stretch makes for a great self support possibility.
Sure, it's class IV, so one would want to be comfortable with a loaded boat and probably familiar w/ the run already unless one were otherwise overly qualified. But imagine that. I think that would be a cool little over nighter- maybe even plan on three laps:
Lap One: put on Upper loaded for overnight. Paddle down, set up camp. Drink some beer etc. Maybe eat lunch. Saddle up with light boats, drop the falls, rally through Pilbox Canyon to Take Out.
Lap Two: rally up to put in because you aren't boating w/ ten people so you can actually rally without undue Dick'n Around...Pack the rest of your beer into you boat. Remember: NO WASTED TRIPS. Put On, rally on down through PilPusher, and back to camp. Hearty feast, fire, and brews to follow.
In the a.m. strike camp and get your sorry ass suited up. Yup. Time to run the falls with your boat full of gear and a hang over. Rally back to the car, load up, and go get the third.
The caveat though is the rain spike required just to have two days worth of juice, and likely when you can catch it at such optimal flows it won't be during spring or summer.