Zoar Gap

Below Island Rapid the river is shallow and fast moving as you approach a sign that says "Rapids Ahead, Portage/Take-Out." Stop at this point if you want to scout or walk. To scout, walk along the road (beware of poison ivy growing into the road) until it becomes obvious you are at the gap.

Zoar Gap is by far the most constricted passage on this section of the Deerfield. An upper "drop," has an easy tongue on river right, and a pour-over river left. Ride the tongue down and either punch the two holes below, where the vast majority of the water flows, or cut hard right above the first hole to avoid them. A far right sneak route used to be an option, but high flows from Hurricane Irene modified the channel filling this line with shallow rocks.

More advanced paddlers can catch the eddy below the pour-over and then work river left, catching a boiling micro eddy just above the first hole. 

Below the Gap is the "Baby Gap" which is rock-dodging class II and is great for practicing eddy catching, ferrying, or attaining.