Bedrock formations begin to appear at flows under 8000 cfs, often causing trouble for drunken jetboaters. Alert kayakers should have no problem maneuvering around these rocks, which are visible from above. They capsized at an eddy line and nearly drowned due to wearing heavy jackets and assorted late-fall outfits. Other than that he said the trip was uneventful but pretty. 28.9 End of China Rapids.
People report pleasant camping on an island near the bottom of the rapids.
Paynes Creek enters on the left, marking the start of Iron Canyon, a lava flow thru which the river has carved a channel. People report pleasant camping in this canyon. 29.7 Lava tube on river right, worth a stop. Bald Hill on the right. 30.4 River turns sharp right and heads south by southeast.