Brown's in a Kayak

[mdlb]

Sorry I am sure this has been covered, but I just spent about 30 mins searching and almost all of the threads were on rafting Browns. Just wondering what the word on Browns is in a kayak. It is rated as a class III river but it seems to get alot of attention on this forum. Is there a reason for this (ie is the rating kind of sand bagged) or does it just get this amount of attention due to the number of people going down it.

Ultimately the question is: If I am comfortable on class III sections of Clear Creek and I have a few friends who are much better boaters than I that are trying to talk me into heading down there this weekend will I be getting in over my head (is Browns much harder than other class IIIs around the state)? Thanks for your input.

[CUBuffskier]

depends on if you call (like some guide books) - filter plant/deckers/golden playpark etc... class III

if you are doing stuff any bigger then this then you'll be fine.

[jmalefyt]

If you're a class III boater you should be fine.

[DanOrion]

Browns is arguably the best class III in the country, hence the attention. Zoom flume and Siedels may be Class IV at high water, but everything has big horizon lines, so scouting is very easy. If you've been comfortable on CC, you'll be fine on Browns. Browns at high water will have big swirlies and bigger waves than CC, which is pure fun. Go there now.

[CUBuffskier]

also i highly suggest doing fractions down into the playpark if you have time for 2 runs - i love that run

[JOCDOC]

Agreed, Brown's is a classic class 3 run although continuous class 2+/3- at moderate water levels. Zoom Flume is 4- with simply big waves and a long swim possible. Siedel's Suckhole is below Brown's takeout so non issue.

I liken it to Lower Mishawaka at moderate to high water if you've paddled that but def. continuous class 2+/3 not like Filter Plant that only has one isolated class 3- in it.

[GPP33]

Browns gets attention because it is a beautiful run that get’s you away from the road and civilization for a full day trip. The white water is fun but not overwhelming for a class 3 boater. There is also some good play for the more advanced paddlers. All of the lines are pretty clear, Zoom flume and Siedel’s (optional lower take out) are easy to scout / portage if you have concerns. Both rapids are very straight forward and a lot of fun so go down with the intention of running them but keep your ego in check when you get there.

The Ark is very different from Clear Creek, Browns is a good place to test your bigger (relatively speaking) river skills.

If your friends are experienced responsible paddlers who know your abilities trust them, they don’t want to drag you out of the river any more than you do.

Oh, and let us know how it goes.....

[GPP33]

Edit: it’s at about 2400 right now, if you catch it at about 1,000 – 1,500 you’ll have more hits but they’ll be smaller( better for a class 3 boater). It tends to wash out a bit and the remaining hits get bigger at about 2,500, never run it between about 1,800 and 2,500 so not sure what the character will be like.

[rastaman]

Brown's is a lot of fun. Specially at higher water. If you have a solid roll and a good brace you won't have any problems. I don't think there are any serious conseuences in any of the rapids if you swim. There are usualy large pools and a lot of other people to grab your stuff if you swim. Just keep your eyes open and plan ahead. The river gets wide(er) at places and the easy line might be on the other riverbank. If you go on the weekend there will be a million rafts a other kayakers to show you good and bad lines.

Post how it went.

[mdlb]

Thanks everyone for the info and encouragement, looks like I will give it a try this weekend.