Yellowstone Rafting in High Gear

Standing on the edge of the Yellowstone River, I watched the clear sparkling water flow by with a steady roar. Taking it all in and gazing up the canyon, my stomach churned along with the rapids, and my heart raced in anticipation of the whitewater float ahead.

The town above was bustling as summer river season kicked into high gear. It was a hot Sunday in late July, and Gardiner's rafting companies were running full-tilt, shuttling guests and gear along its banks.

At the river's edge, I asked a group of boaters if they had floated this section recently. A woman in the group replied, "No, but it sure looks fun." We traded well wishes and smiles as they pushed off and entered the Gardiner Town Stretch - a whitewater wave-train about two river miles long. Within minutes, the group of three kayakers floated under a bridge a quarter mile away and disappeared around the bend.

"The Town Stretch is mostly class I and II rapids," said Steve Bierle, owner of Flying Pig Adventure Co. "It's running prime time right now and you'll get good roller coaster waves and big splashes. It's especially fun for families."

From high-water in late-May to easier conditions in July through September, floating the Town Stretch is a thrill, no matter the season. This year's ample snowpack and peak runoff in late May-early June gave the Flying Pig guides the chance to train in high-water conditions and, "were 100 percent dialed in before the main client season," said Bierle.

Generally, boaters take a half-day float from Gardiner to Brogan's Landing access site. In high water, this eight-mile float can be done in about an hour. Later in the season, it can take more than 2 hours, depending on scenic stops. By July and August, kids can hop in the river and swim with the raft and play in the calm water stretches. Those looking for more adventure can take an 18-mile trip and paddle through Yankee Jim Canyon - an area that holds the biggest waves on the river and is rated up to class lV during peak flows.

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