The Dumplings

The most technical rapid on the West. Can be identified by very large boulders blocking the view of the best route downstream. The easiest route through the Dumplings starts out on river left. As the river turns to the right paddle hard to river right to avoid a trashy section on the left side of the channel with a mix of holes and rocks. Eddy out behind one of the "dumplings" if you can. The next section takes you through standing waves and a large hole/wave that upsets many boats just before the ender hole. The rapid ends at the West river ender spot wich can be identified by tourist and an observation platform on river left. The West river ender hole is on river right and is served by a large eddy there. Gone are the days of the long high volume boats which used to get major air at this spot. A more difficult route would take a boater to the right of the upper Dumpling. The most difficult move is the "Twisty Chute" that drops to the right at the top of the first dumpling. If you manage to stay upright through the slot it then accelerates you into another boulder that has a slight undercut on the upstream side.