How To Run Horseshoe Falls And Rattlesnake Rapid In Low Water

Since quite a number of people have wondered how to run Horseshoe Falls and Rattlesnake Rapid in low water, I will tell them in this post.  When approaching Horseshoe Falls, you’ll notice a large rock on the left shortly before the main drop.  Pass just to the right of it then slide into the drop with your boat pointed left.  The problem at Horseshoe is to go too far right at which point you would encounter a waterfall with sharp rocks.  Avoid it!  Immediately below Horseshoe a ledge has formed over the years that you must go to the right of.  You are now approaching Rattlesnake, which is made up of three parts.  The first part requires you to pass between two large rocks on the right.  The passage is very narrow, but needs to be negotiated to put you in proper position for part two.  This is a steep drop, which you go through by locating a long sharp jagged ledge, and passing just to the left of it.  Then you pull right to move between two ledges, and as you float through the second drop, you will skim over rocks at the bottom.  Do not go over the center, because there is a rocky ledge with a straight drop!  You made it!  Now take out your fishing pole, because right below the rapid is an excellent steelhead hole.  Enjoy the scenery that follows.