Cataract Canyon: Big Drops POV

A POV look at running the Big Drops in Cataract Canyon. Flows were around 5,000 cfs in late October 2020.

[@iket1148]

Sure miss that place. Guided in Cat for 20 years, still my favorite river section.

[@trwent]

I have run Cat twice as a customer on multi-day trips, plus a one-day Navtec sport boat trip many years ago. It is an awesome trip. The only downside is that the camping is probably the worst of the seven classic “desert river” trips in the Colorado river basin (Yampa, Gates of Lodore, Deso/Gray, Westwater, Cat, San Juan, and Grand; of course Westwater is normally run as a day trip but a few companies offer 2- and 3-day Westwater trips). But of course, each trip has its highs and its less-highs!!

[@myladcook4779]

Beautiful canyon

[@scottcook926]

So odd seeing it so low. I rowed it at 12k and we were told "it's low," by the locals. A must do trip.

[@Sailor376also]

I have done those at 7 to 10 thousand. That looked positively civilized. Thanks.

[@dallinmccay9336]

we did it at 50 tho usend lol

[@christopherjohnson1803]

Some people run these at 40,000 +? Insane.

[@trwent]

When Cataract Canyon is running at very high water, the waves through the Big Drops are some of the biggest river waves in the world. In North America, the Niagara river below the falls probably rivals (or perhaps exceeds) it, but I cannot think of any other off hand.

[@bradleynoone8527]

Thats def not Big Mossy