double clickSockdolager Rapid - Early River Runners Ran This Rapid Head On
Grand Canyon
6 or 7 Day Rafting Vacation

Mile 78 - Sockdolager Rapid

In 1869 during the first Powell expedition, crewmembers could not find a way to portage or line their boats around this cataract, so they had to run it head on. During the second expedition in 1872, Powell’s crew decided to name the rapid “Sockdolager”, a slang term of the day meaning heavy or knockdown blow.

Lower Gorge Grand Canyon

Lower Grand Canyon Mile by Mile »

The lower Grand Canyon, as traveled by Western's 3 or 4 day expedition begins at Whitmore Wash (mile 188) and finishes at Lake Mead (mile 277).

See Lower Grand Canyon