Around mile 116 the river emerges from the upper granite gorge and enters softer, friendlier, sedimentary formations again. The rapids become less severe and side canyon hiking opportunities abound. Mile 117 Hiking up this small tributary is indeed like entering a fairyland.
Most river runners stay around the bottom pools.
The hike further up is difficult and, in places, a bit dangerous. This is the longest straight stretch of river in the canyon. It's three miles long, but the current is good so the rowing is easy. The river plunges back into the shist formations again for a few miles. Four miles up this stream is one of its tributaries, Thunder River.