The Sky from Index or Sunset Falls Down is one of the most paddled stretches of river in the State.  We put on the river at the town of Index under the railroad bridge.  We ran into a few cat boaters who were also out to enjoy the amazing afternoon.  The day was perfectly clear with amazing views of Mt. Index, the Gunn Range, Merchant Peak, and Mt. Bering.  Not a cloud in the Sky.

The first rapid is called Llama Ledges and has a great camping spot on river right (used by many homeless river guides in the summer).  This rapid has a pretty clear line down the center left, and a nice boulder garden feel down the right.  This is easy in a kayak, but many rafts wrap in this jumble of granite boulders.

The next rapid of note is called Snaggletooth, which has rearranged a few times in the last few years.  The rapid comes up as the river channelizes left, and passes downed trees on the left bank.  The general run is right down the middle or middle to left.  Below here is the confluence with the South Fork of the Sky.  Many boaters choose to start their trip at the Confluence or up the South Fork below Sunset falls.

The first rapid below the confluence is straight forward and forgiving. Run right for the best waves.  After the next pool the river bends left and then right through some boulders.  Stay with the main flow and "butter the biscuit" at lower flows (perfect slide rock). Around the next corner is Anderson Hole, a good sized hole that can be nasty at higher flows.  Run right or left.  On this trip, there was a good hole to the left of the rock.

In the distance you will see some large boulders looming and the river drops out of sight. This is the Boulder Drop, the Class IV you will want to scout if you don’t know the lines.  Scout on the right, portage left or right (left is easier along the road). The line in Boulder Drop changes with different river flows, so if you are unfamiliar, SCOUT.

The picket fence in Boulder Drop.  Chutes L to R:  The Needle, Ned's Needle, Chris's Crack, Airplane Turn. (2500cfs)

At flows under 4,000, you can do the Airplane Turn, The Needle or Ned’s Needle. Between 4-8,000 Ned’s is the best line, and above 8,000 the mercy chute is the best bet. I have seen many different lines run at many different levels, but these are pretty good guidelines. Above 15,000, be very careful in this rapid. The drop itself becomes a monstrous hole (backed up by the house rock) that has swam some of the best boaters in the world. Be warned.

Below the drop are a few really great rapids. Directly below is the Weir, which becomes an AMAZING surf wave at 15,000+, but can be a sticky ledge at lower levels. Run left of center down the tongue, but be aware of the sieve on the far left.

Below here is Tsunami which has some good waves and holes. As the river flattens for a moment and then bends left and then right, you are approaching Lunch Hole. If you get stuck in there, you’ll have more than enough time to eat your lunch, so its best to run hard right. Little lunch hole has been known to snag boaters who confidently paddle close to the lunch hole. There is a sneak far left at lower flows, but choose your line carefully. Nice beach below it on the right for lunch.

The next rapid is a real gem, perfectly named Aquagasam. This rollercoaster is big, fun, and has some awesome hits. The lowest wave/ hole can flip rafts around 4-7,000 so beware. There is another boulder garden before you get to Split Rock Ledge, the play spot and the takeout. You can see this one with a decent wave next to a large rock on the left. Eddy service behind the rock, but this wave is only good at certain flows. Takeout at the bridge below, or at the actual split rock takeout.
 

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