Rainbow Gardens(3/3+): Below the Rainbow Gardens restaurant/gift shop, the river eases to class III with more brush lined banks. There are numerous putin and take out options; normal putin is above the footbridge. A secondary surf wave under the putin footbridge can be good at higher levels. Some good eddy-hopping follows, with varying amounts of brush. A putin at the top of the Dino park fencing brings the difficulty down a small step, since its below a couple of the larger drops in this section.
A small surf wave is below the next straightaway, near some small dinosaur statues in the park (Velociraptor wave? :-) )
A left turn behind the dinosaur park leads to a rocky area that has a hole at higher flows. The river left line has better visibility.
The Dino wave just downstream of the Dinosaur park is ok at most levels; kind of a side surf at low flows; rather good around 700-900cfs. The Sports Park is the end of the class III. At lower flows wood tends to collect toward the bottom of the Sports park, on a couple of mid-river rocks. In summer 2022 there is a beaver dam just above those mid-river rocks, portage left if desired. Then you pass under Harrison Ave, which has a good left eddy just past the bridge.
Next is a left turn, stay left to avoid the right bank brush.
After a straightaway with some avoidable Russian Olive thorn trees, you approach the botanical garden, and the river bends right and has a few channels. A newer rock wall on river right was built recently, at some apartments. Right or center usually go well. Left is a wood jam. The botanical garden has parking and takeouts, or go under Monroe bridge on the left, and try the surf wave under the Gramercy Ave bridge (best from 750 to 950cfs). Take out river left below Gramercy, or down above the next footbridge at Lorin Farr. Watch for fish hooks in the trees over the river, all through the town section. Do not leave valuables visible in your car. The foot bridges at Lorin Farr can be a mandatory roll at high flows (a probable portage or takeout over 900 cfs; the second bridge is the lowest). Slackwater restaurant is another good takeout, with parking that seems a bit more secure.
Although short, Rainbow Gardens can be a good step up from Hen-Tag, even at the lowest flows (due to brush avoidance and FU rocks), with cleaner water, and a bikeable or walkable shuttle.
Rainbow Gardens putin parking: Standard parking/meeting place now is the gravel turnout off of the Ogden Canyon road, see the map tab. Its closer to the river than the restaurant parking lot. Do not park in front of the restaurant. There is no reason to park behind the restaurant any more either, but if you do, use the signed spots for trail users, not the spots restricted for Rainbow Gardens customers.
You can also putin upstream below the old road bridge, to add a hundred yards. This putin is also ok for 2 person IKs and small rafts. Some steps could be built on the north side of the old bridge, to improve this putin.
See the Narrows description for Pineview reservoir links.
The levels in the Flow section are:
Below Recommended > 125 cfs > class 3 > 550 cfs > 3+ > 950 cfs > 4- > 1200 > 4 > 1600 have not seen it over 1600 as that is bankful and its dam controlled.