Description: This section of the Sandy is continuous and unstable. The rapids are changing year to year. The largest hazard is wood, which can make or break this run depending on the configuration. The higher the level, the more fun the whitewater, but the more dangerous wood becomes. Because of the ever changing nature of the riverbed a guidebook breakdown of rapids is not possible. In general, the river is steeper with more interesting whitewater near the beggining before tapering off to class II-III at the take out.
Go slow on your first lap to get the wood situation dialed, if it turns out to be clean it is a fun one to cruise down for a second lap.
Most hard shell kayakers will want to shoot for about 3,000 cfs on a first trip, then decide what direction to go water-wise for a return trip.
Put in at the bridge to McNeil Campground (or a little higher is possible) and take out at the Lolo Pass Bridge or roadside just upstream of that.
Additional References Full description in
Soggy Sneakers.