spikebuck Rapid (Class III-IV) - Bighorn sheep canyon

At nearly a quarter mile in length, Spikebuck Rapid packs a punch at nearly every river level. The required maneuvers vary quite a bit from low water to high water, and the tricky features keep guides and crews on their toes! 

Rafters will navigate through and around features like Taylor’s Rock, the Curler Wave, Picnic Table Rock, and Spikebuck Rock or Spikebuck Hole (depending on the river flow). When a rapid holds that many named rocks or hydraulics you know it’s going to require the concentration of all involved to make it a successful run! 

Spikebuck Rapid is considered a class III rapid by guides at lower and medium water flow levels, however many argue that at the higher water flows the rapid turns into a class IV due to the speed at which we travel through it, and the subsequent lack of time to avoid the very large waves and hydraulics that develop.