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Whitewater timing varies with scouting, portages, and group pace. Use as a planning baseline.
Description
Like Yosemite Valley with more water going through it! An ideal packraft trip with excellent Class II-III paddling, easy hiking, and terrific scenery, geology, and fishing.
Our beta had us hitching/hiking up the CDT from Lower Green Lake up to a place called Beaver Park where there is a bridge over the upper Green, near Squaretop Mountain. There is an easy spot to camp there. Class 1-II quickwater with frequent wood hazards accompany the first few miles to Upper Green Lake; portages aren't the easiest due to the high, grassy riversides, but at 1150-1250cfs the water didn't make them too consequential. Hardshell boats will probably want to start at Upper Green Lake.
Paddling both the lakes is beautiful but can be windy. The river between is Class I-II and has options for easy camping in between the oxbows. We easily caught fish for dinner.
The river below Lower Green Lake picks up slowly and has some super fun intermediate Class III action. There are campsites along the river and road. Be warned that the area around Big Bend is known for its grizzlies. We didn't see any, but were mostly cautious (other than the peanut butter spilling...).