If you have to travel it when its wet, be afraid, be very afraid. Fortunately, this region only gets 10 inches of rain a year. Shoemakers has a road that runs along the river for several miles. Bottom line, you won't be alone. This is wilderness camping so plan accordingly.
Some people just float from Shoemakers and spend multiple days in the canyon before floating out.
Campsites are limited so be kind. Let others have a chance at too. There is some great fishing pools for both surface and subsurface presentations but I will get to that. Yeah, There is some wonderful fishing for small mouth bass in the summer months but watch out for snakes. The water is all class 1 and class 2 until you are coming out of the canyon.