7 - West Table to Sheep Gulch (Alpine Canyon)

Alpine Canyon on the Snake River is one of the classic whitewater runs in the West and the most popular of the runs on the Snake River. No matter what the flows are, you can always find something to enjoy on this run which features some great playboating. In the spring high flows (10,000-12,000 cfs) can produce class IV rapids and some epic bigwater features. Through the summer the river provides consistent class III whitewater that is enjoyed by thousands of visitors who take part in commercial raft trips on this Wild and Scenic River. See individual rapid descriptions below. _River Conservation_ American Whitewater was part of a coalition of groups supporting the designation of the Snake River as a Wild and Scenic River which was signed into law in 2009 (Public Law 111-11). This action proteced 412.2 miles of the Snake River and the major tributaries that make up the Snake Headwaters. The majority of the river miles, including Alpine Canyon are managed by Bridger-Teton National Forest, with the rest administered by the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Forest works to protect and enhance the values that led to the inclusion of this section of the Snake River as Wild and Scenic including scenery, recreation, ecology and wildlife, fish, and geology. Keeping aquatic invasive species (AIS) out of the Snake River is a big concern. Clean, drain, and dry all boating gear (including fishing boots and watercraft that are exempt from needing a sticker) used in other drainages, before putting in on the Snake. An annual sticker should be purchased for hardshell kayaks, rafts and inflatables over 10 feet long. These are available at the market in Alpine. More info is here (2016 links): https://wgfd.wyo.gov/fishing-and-boating https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Prevention https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Prevention/AIS-Decal https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Fishing/AIS\_DECALREQUIREMENT.pdf https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Prevention/Drain-Clean-Dry