It is a bad stretch, and contains some heavy falls which, as the river was still somewhat high, were often impossible to get around, and they were obliged to run them.
The stage of water in both these Granite Gorges makes a great difference in the character of the falls.

For example, in the Second Gorge, when Wheeler made his precarious journey in 1871, he was able, coming from below, to surmount the rapids along the sides with two of his boats, because the water happened to be at a stage that permitted this, whereas Stanton found it impossible to pass some of them without running, and Powell found the one that split his party the same way.

So it appears that one day finds these gorges easier or harder than another; but at their easiest they are truly fearful places.

At one of the worst falls Stanton's boat suddenly crashed upon a rock that projected from the shore, and there she hung, all the men being thrown forward.

The boat filled and stuck fast, while the great waves rolled over her and her crew.