04. Henefer to Taggarts

The Henefer to Taggarts run begins at the western Henefer exit. This class 2+ to 3- section offers good eddylines and a couple of play features. Flows around \[600-700?\] it may not be possible to paddle under the \[new\] Croyden bridge. The last rapid is Taggarts and can safely be run down the left side at all flows. There are a couple put-ins along the dirt frontage road. Groups usually meet at the largest parking area, upstream of the others. In 2024 there is now a $10 fee per car for the main parking area, on holidays, Fridays and weekends. https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/1904-dwr-makes-changes-at-weber-river-tubing-spot.html Below the Henefer put-in is the Henefer rock garden with good eddy turns and rock slalom practice. Beginners without a solid brace or roll often swim in this section (III-). Flatwater canoes have been seen wrapped around rocks in the rock garden. A more forgiving first time run is to put in below the Croyden bridge. When the Taggart takeout is crowded, kayakers may opt for the shorter Henefer to Croyden section. 2024: The new Croyden Bridge is somewhat lower than the old bridge, and needs to be portaged (left) at high flows. Just below the Croyden bridge on the right is a popular tubing putin, and is a better putin for first time kayakers. After some flat water comes another rapid before going under the road and past Devil's Slide. Croyden wave provides the best surfing on the run. A crane/rope swing may be set up on the left on weekends. Below there are a couple more class II rapids that break up the flat water then you navigate under the highway again, between concrete pillars. Crossing under a railroad bridge there is a nice stern squirt spot on the right. Then comes 'Taggart Falls' the final crux, with a good line on the left, and some right lines depending on wood. There is a tough ferry move across the main current into a river left eddy at the main drop. Above 1200 cfs, Taggarts gets a sticky hole in the middle. The takeout is increasingly crowded and chaotic on a summer weekend. There will be lots of tubers on a typical Saturday. Use caution and do not place your boat on the road, rather put boats off the road shoulder. Put in: Fishing access at I-84 exit 112. .8 miles, the Henefer rock garden starts. Starting right then moving left is a popular line. .9 miles, the '1000 Mile Tree' is along the railroad tracks here. 1.86 miles, Croyden bridge. Putting in below this bridge is good for beginners and tubers. 2.4 miles, cross under the highway. 2.5 miles, remember to look left for a great view of Devils Slide 2.9 miles, Croyden wave 3.2 miles, a beach on the left, where a rope swing is sometimes set up on a crane. 3.7 miles, cross under the highway again, with some concrete piers on the river. While this is not too technically difficult, it can be the crux of the run if putting in below Croyden bridge. In the spring of 2017, a log jam on one of the piers caused two separate rescues of tubers who got stuck on the log jam. 4.8 miles, crossing under the railroad bridge, a nice eddy on the right for stern squirts, and a possible takeout to avoid 'Taggart Falls' :-) . 5.0 miles, 'Taggart Falls', the cleanest line is on the left, especially at high water when a large hole forms in the middle. 5.1 miles, takeout right, don't miss it, unless you want to float into Morgan. (Another 5 mellow miles takes you to the Barefoot Tubing takeout. Below there, are a few diversion drops that may be challenging.) Take-out: Exit 108. Taggarts Restaurant at the takeout has good burgers, and cold beer. The Cow Wave in Henefer, Utah doesn't appear until the levels coming out of Echo reservoir reach 1000 CFS. Directions From Salt Lake City go East on I-80 to the I-84 intersection, then turn northwest (toward Ogden) following the river from the bottom of Echo Reservoir. When you come to exit 112, get off the highway and turn right, then right again onto the dirt frontage road. Continue past alternate putins to the main parking lot. From Ogden or Rt 89, take I-84 East to the first Henefer exit (112), take a left then turn right on the dirt frontage road, to go down to the main parking area.