Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.
Rapid NM Class II+

Last Chance

Rio Grande - 07. Quartzite River Access to County Line River Access (NM)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Rio Grande below Taos Junction Bridge near Taos, NM Upstream Primary
Runnable: 200.0 – 3,000.0 CFS

Flows of 250 cfs are ok for floating from sleeping beauty to Souse hole without dragging.

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Last Chance
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

This rapid is created by the island in the middle of the river just downstream from the pool below Souse Hole. At moderate to low levels the right channel is usually the only channel deep enough to navigate. Near the bottom of the island the river swings left; stay alert for "Charmin" rock near the right shore at the bottom of the run out.

Savvy boaters will take out on river left just after this rapid and hike their boat up to the Sousehole parking lot. This avoids the dreaded "mellow mile" in between Last Chance and County Line. There is no boat ramp here and the stairs out are steep, but it may be easier than navigating around the commercial raft swimmers on busy July days. 

Location
Type
Rapid
Difficulty
Class II+
Mile Marker
3.4 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
07. Quartzite River Access to County Line River Access
Rio Grande
III 4.4 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater