Río Mejocote, Middle & Lower, Honduras (click here for the Honduras table of rivers)

river photo

Class: IV+, III ; Flow: 300-2,000 cfs; Average Gradient: 10 m/km Middle, 5 m/km Lower; Portages: no; Length: 12+24 km; Time: 3+4 hours

Season: late June to early November; rafts? with water; Highlights: canyons and continous rapids; Crux move: scouting the lines

Put-In: Mejocote bridge (730 m) or Río Grande bridge (605 m); Take-Out: Río Grande bridge or Higuito bridge (475 m)

Description: (click here for general notes about my descriptions)

The Middle Río Mejocote continues the great Upper section with a little more volume and a little more space to maneuver. The first 30 minutes are easier III-, and then you enter a canyon with a long series of continuous IV/IV+ drops between big boulders, often in gorges. I scouted four times and more than once found myself too far downstream on the wrong side of the river from the best line. After 1.5 hours, the rapids ease to III/IV- for the last hour with more great cliff scenery. A dirt road bridge early on in this section gives another access from Gracias (road to El Jícaro). The rock is mostly sandstone and other sedimentary rock. Rafting is possible with good water but be prepared for a portage or two.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater El Salvador, Honduras, & Nicaragua guidebook.

Descent History: Jorge Salaverri, John James Dupuis, and Froni Miedena from the Guancascos Hotel ran the Lower section around 1994. George Pratsinak Jeff Hastings and Neil Alexander first explored the Middle in 2004.