Ecuador 2013 Day 11:
I hadn't thought this section would be anything special. None of the folks I had talked to said they had done it. The DeReimers mentioned they do it as a short add on after El Chaco but provided no additional details… so imagine my surprise when we get to some very fun splashy rapids that have more technicality and consequence than anything in Chaco Canyon (other than El Toro) and scenery that is just a small step down from Chaco Canyon. I really don't understand why this run didn't make it higher on my priority list. It was really something fun. And the holes in here that you want to avoid were the biggest we saw in our time in Ecuador.
The scenery ranged from bowled out lava rock formed smooth walls to open lush green rolling hills to tight vertical lava walls. It really offered it all. The run is short, so by no means plan on making it a full day. It took us about 30-40 minutes to paddle it including one swim in the group. It was a great addition for class III/IV boaters to add on to the Chaco Canyon and could also be a nice addition to extend the Lower Quijos run though with added spice. Simply put, this run should be on your list. You won't regret it.
Also, as this area is popular, I am sure all of the rapids on these rivers have real names… but I don't know them.
Mi 0.4:
- The runs starts off with some fun splashy whitewater.
- Santa Rosa (III). The Rio Santa Rosa enters on the left followed by a ramp into a sticky hole. You want to be far left.
Big S Turn Part 1 (IV). The top is run far left to avoid the largest reactionary hole I have ever seen.
Big S Turn Part 1 (III). Just below is a fun rapid best run far right else you drop into a mean hole that swam one of our members and also took me for a brief ride… thankfully I just clipped the outside edge of it!
The paddler out is some of the better scenery around...
Take-out: Just past the Rio Oyacachi, E45 crosses the Rio Santa Rosa in the small village of Santa Rosa de Quijos. Take a dirt road to the right and follow the creek before then following the Quijos. The drive is probably ~1.5 miles on this nice dirt road to a bridge over the Quijos and the access to the river.
Put-in: Take-out is on the E45 just downstream from El Chaco. Just after crossing the bridge turn right on the first dirt road and follow it to the parking turnouts and gate.
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