Took my 2000 Ford F150 and hit only one hairy spot. Just past Black Dike heading west there was about 20 yards of muddy ankle deep water, and my truck made it but it was closer then I would have liked. Did not encounter any heavy sand.
All in all the river road is in really bad shape, I drove it a year and a half ago in a Nissan Xterra and had no problems anywhere. I guess the heavy summer rains took a toll on the road. Does anyone know if NPS grades it before things get busy around Thanksgiving, or do they let it go for a while? Just curious.