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<\/a><\/p>\nOur third full day in Mexico was spent running a nine-mile section of the Upper Rio Bobos, putting in near Zapotitlan (If you missed the first two parts of this trip report, you can find Part I HERE<\/a> and part II HERE<\/a>).\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 We had almost the exact same crew as the previous day on Big Banana, but had the pleasure of being joined by Lianne Germaine as well.\u00c2\u00a0 The long drive to the put-in for the Zapotitlan section was so rainy and foggy I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m pretty sure we would not have found our way there on our own.\u00c2\u00a0 However, knowing the shuttle was quite long we had hired drivers from Aventurec (www.aventurec.com) who knew the route and after hopping out to push Christine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s car a few times, we found ourselves at the top of a rocky, switch-backed, trail leading off the side of the mountain, supposedly to the river, hidden somewhere below in the fog.<\/p>\n Much of the trail had been stabilized by the placement of large rounded rocks, somewhat like cobblestones paving the surface, but larger, rounder, and on this day, covered in a thin veneer of mud and algae.\u00c2\u00a0 The next hour was a test for our knees and ankles as we negotiated the slick, rocky trail down into the valley.\u00c2\u00a0 As we gingerly proceeded, step by careful step, a few local men jogged past us heading to the river as well, but instead of kayaks they carried fishing nets draped around their necks.\u00c2\u00a0 Another local passed us heading uphill leading his sure-footed mule up the tough trail.\u00c2\u00a0 Eventually, the steep path emerged on the floor of the valley and with knees screaming, we left the trail and cut across a grassy field covered in boulders to reach the river.<\/p>\n Below: Christine, Wade, and Julian at the rainy put-in, photo by Matt Beauchamp<\/p>\n Where we accessed the river, it was wide, shallow, and the water level seemed too low.\u00c2\u00a0 Sliding into the water we started moving downstream quickly, mentally preparing ourselves for what might be a nine-mile scrapefest.\u00c2\u00a0 Luckily, the river soon constricted between boulders and morphed into fun sections of continuous class IV boulder gardens.\u00c2\u00a0 Again and again throughout the day I was surprised by great scenery and fun rapids, despite the low water level.\u00c2\u00a0 Although a couple sections were tougher than rest, using aggressive boat scouting we managed to make quick progress and avoid timely bank scouts.<\/p>\n Below: Ben Bernhard in one of the canyons, by Matt Beauchamp<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In some places, grey and white cliffs towered overhead and during one of the more cliffed-in sections, a 150-foot waterfall soared off the left cliff line as a tributary rushed to join the river.\u00c2\u00a0 In other spots, small valleys opened up and the edges of fields of crops were visible on the river bank.\u00c2\u00a0 At one of these remote fields we passed a man standing on the riverbank.\u00c2\u00a0 He wore a poncho and stood motionless in the rain.\u00c2\u00a0 As we approached we could see he was holding rifle at his right side and slightly behind him, as if to not draw attention to it.\u00c2\u00a0 Plenty of locals hunt for food in rural Mexico, but it was unclear if he was hunting or keeping an eye on whatever was being grown in that remote valley.\u00c2\u00a0 Either way, we approached the situation like we always do, with a friendly wave and a smile.\u00c2\u00a0 He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t return either, but in response only gave us a slight nod while maintaining his stern facial expression.\u00c2\u00a0 We continued downstream around the bend, happy to leave the mystery of his presence unsolved.<\/p>\n Below: A tributary waterfall, photo by Matt Beauchamp<\/p>\n Before long the canyon walls receded and we began to see signs of civilization again.\u00c2\u00a0 First we started to see some fenced-in fields along the river, and then houses came into view.\u00c2\u00a0 Rounding another bend, we saw the take-out bridge and our two vehicles parked next to a small house that doubled as a caf\u00c3\u00a9 with a covered area providing outside seating.\u00c2\u00a0 We loaded boats and changed in the pouring rain, happy again to have our shuttle drivers take the wheel as we dozed on the drive back to Tlapacoyan, dinner, and our nice dry hostel rooms at Aventurec.<\/p>\n Below: Matt Beauchamp on the Roadside Alseseca, photo by Mikkel St. Jean-Duncan<\/p>\n After starting out our trip by padding three new runs on three consecutive days, we decided to spend the next day back on the Roadside section of the Rio Alseseca.\u00c2\u00a0 It would be somewhat of a rest-day (or at least more relaxed than our last couple of days) and it would give Mikkel and Lianne a chance to run the most classic of the creek-runs in the area.\u00c2\u00a0 The rain had stopped the previous night and the sun emerged as we left Aventurec for the short drive to the river and we enjoyed blue skies for the rest of the day.\u00c2\u00a0 As expected, the Roadside Section was as fun as ever and we enjoyed a great day with big smiles, high fives, and even a little harmless carnage to keep things interesting.<\/p>\n Below: Lianne Germaine on the Roadside Alseseca, photo by Adam Goshorn<\/p>\n The real buzz within the group during the day on the Roadside Section day was about the river we hoped to do next.\u00c2\u00a0 The Upper Jalacingo has only been known to paddlers for a few years and the mystery of its tight basalt canyons intrigued us all.\u00c2\u00a0 Once again Julian would be prove indispensable as he figured out the shuttle, led the charge on the river, and assured we stopped in time for several mandatory portages\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 stay tuned for Part IV: the Upper Jalacingo.<\/p>\n Until next time you can keep up with my travels at www.granolapaddler.blogspot.com<\/a><\/p>\n -Adam Goshorn<\/p>\n Below: Entering another canyon section, photo by Matt Beauchamp<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n