From the put-in, it is just a few minutes before the river goes under the highway bridge. Just after the bridge, the river comes close to the cliff on river right. There is supposed to be a rock art panel right here, visible from the river, but we didn't see it. Keep an eye out as you go by!

1.7 Mile Camp, on the right, is the first real camp after the put-in. The river goes by a stunning striped wall here on river left.

3 mile - Just after mile 3, the river goes close to a cliff on river right. There are some moki steps here, visible from the river with a close eye. Just down from here is Butler Camp. From Butler Camp there is a mix of social and animal trails that head north to the cliff where a fascinating rock art panel is. The small panel appears to be a hunter and several sandhill cranes. This can be difficult to find, GPS highly recommended, and it usually requires a bit of bushwhacking. I think it is well worth it.

Between mile 4 and 5 Butler Wash comes in on the right. This major drainage has an impressive rock art panel from its mouth that extends east for several hundred feet along the cliff band. There is also a petroglyph and ruin up lower Butler Wash proper. Follow the map and very well-worn social trails to visit.

The river splits just below Butler Wash. Stay in the right channel if it looks deep enough. There is a set of moki steps here that are harder to see from the left channel. Right where the two channels come back together is Kachina Panel stop.

Kachina Panel

The Kachina Panel is often considered one of the largest and most impressive panels in the area. There is a BLM information sign near the river and a social trail that goes up to, and along the cliff base to visit the panel.

From Kachina Panel, in the next 0.7 mile of river, there are two good camp sites called Upper River House Ruin and River House Camp. Both of these have trails that visit River House Ruin to the north of the river. Follow the most used trail from either campsite. River House Ruin is very easy to spot once close. There are additional ruins just a short distance west of the main ruin, so be sure to walk along the base of the cliff a couple of minutes to see them. 

Just below River House Camp, keep an eye high on the left for a panel tucked up among the cliffs.  

Just a few minutes down from River House Camp, where the right bank becomes rock and dirt, is Barton Trading Post and San Juan Hill. This is another great spot to stop for a short hike. From the river hike up to visit the old trading post site. 

The Rincone (Old Trading Post)
The Rincone, aka Barton's Trading Post, is right next the road past San Juan Hill. From the information sign at the site:

San Juan Hill
From the trading post, follow the dirt road north, then west to a spur road that goes to the base of Comb Ridge. Follow the spur road to the fence, information sign, and old wagon trail.

The trail, leading up Comb Ridge behind the fence, is not nearly as well-defined as I expected, but with a close eye, can be followed up. There are occasional historic trail markers along the way as well. We followed it up about 0.4 mile, then stepped off the old trail to the west for nice views. En route there is a short side trail and marker and what, I assume, is an original pioneer inscription: We Thank Thee O God.

Below the trading post area, the nature of the float begins to change. Sandstone cliffs begin to diminish as the geology changes.  About mile 9, Chinle Creek comes in on river left. If you have a permit, this is a fantastic drainage to hike up. Stopping at the Lower Chinle Camp allows for easy access to Chinle Creek. Lower Chinle Camp is a large, sandy camp with a few cottonwood trees. It would make a great spot for a layover day if you are interested in hiking. 

About mile 10, the river begins cutting into the Honaker formation and the canyon deeps dramatically.  Be on the lookout for bighorn sheep throughout the next canyon section. They blend in well, but we spotted quite a few on our trip. 

Just before mile 12 is the first named rapid of the trip, Four Foot Rapid. This is an easy read-and-run rapid. 

About mile 12.75 Perched Meander comes in on river right.  This old abandoned meander can be hiked around. About a 3-mile off trail hike. 

Just past mile 13 is Midway Camp on river right. A side canyon comes in here that makes a great side hike. The social trail goes up the bottom of the canyon. Just a few minutes up, a large dry fall is encountered. Most turn around here, we did; however, you can continue up via the steep, loose social trail that bypasses the falls on the right. Above are several more similar falls, though with persistence you can reach the very to of the canyon. 

Midway Camp, as well as many of the camps in this canyon section, has a lot of fossils in the limestone rock layer if you keep an eye out. 

From Midway Camp, it is about 4 miles to mile 17. Just after mile 17 is Eight Foot Rapid, the most difficult on this stretch. The rapid can be scouted from river left. In general, stay on the right as you go around the bend to go between a large boulder and the right side of the river bank, then pull left back into the center of the channel. Fun little rapid and was bumpy for us in the 500-CFS range. 

Below Eight Food Rapid is the narrowest section of the canyon.  It is less than 2 miles to Soda Basin, a wider section of the canyon that had oil and gas exploration done in the early 1900's on river right. Some old artifacts are still visible here and worth the stop. An old road links Soda Basin to Lime Creek and makes a great evening hike if camping along this section on river right. I stays close to the river but high enough to get excellent views. 

The last named rapid of this stretch, Ledge Rapid, is on the bend at the end of Soda Basin. This is about mile 19.5. The rapid is generally read-and-run. You have to stay relatively right to avoid the shallow, rocky shoal on the left, but pull back from the right enough to avoid being pushed under the overhang on river right. At least at our flows, this was very straightforward.

After Ledge Rapid, it is easy going. The canyon opens broadly at Fossil Stop Camp, about mile 20 and the scenery changes. At about mile 22, as the river makes a bend, there are several sulfur springs up on river right. We stopped to check them out, but most might not find them very interesting. From there, it is about 5 miles to the Mexican Hat Boat Ramp on river right. Be sure not to miss it!