Need some help. I'll be driving into Golden on June 3rd from Chattanooga, TN. Came out last year for the first time and ran Lower Clear Creek (Golden), Gunny Gorge, Royal Gorge, and the Numbers, and Browns Canyon. Can anyone suggest some class III or IV rivers that will be going during that time? Thanks for the help.
You could spend one or two days running class III/IV on the Poudre River. It's about an hour and a half north of Golden, near Fort Collins.
One fairly long day could be spent running Upper and Lower Mishawaka (IV and III respectively), Poudre Park (IV) and Bridges (III). This is something like 10 or 15 miles of good paddling with some play opportunities.
If the visual gauge is 4 ft or higher, a definite possibility in early June (we all hope), you could also run Upper and Lower Rustic, which are a little higher up the canyon. I'm not entirely sure of the rating, but they're in the III/IV range.
Call or stop in the Mountain Shop or Rocky Mountain Adventures in Fort Collins for more information on these runs.
Just about everything should be running then. If you drive up to the Poudre, also consider the runs above the Narrows. They have a much more 'away from the road' feel and lots of good play if the level is above about 3.5. In the same drainage, both the N and little S Fork may be up and good to go (but be sure to check that there's enough water).
Joe Wright Creek and Spencer Hts (high in the Poudre drainage) are a notch up, but close by and lots of fun. Upper Upper South Boulder Creek is a short and fun run. Early June- should be plenty to choose from.
Poudre is definitely the spot you wanna be. Like they said, upper-mish thru bridges will be prime around that time as well as upper and lower rustic. Almost endless miles of class 3/4 fun, easy, read and run rapids. Take a look at middle narrows for a step up in the 4+range. Tons of camping and other stuff too.
You could take a couple days and goto the Lake Fork near Lake City, CO.
4 significant rapids: surprise, rattlesnake, raspberry and last chance which are all about a IV. Good class II-III boogie water in between for about 4.5-5 miles.
Sci--
Do it all. Your timing will be great. Be sure to hit the classics: Poudre, Ark, and Animas. Most definitely come back to The Numbers. Maybe you know, but it is one of the top class IV classics in the Nation, especially around 2500 cfs. You shouldn't want to blow it off while here. I even recommend putting in up at Granite and doing through #6 or even to the BV play park all in one day. You can easily walk around Pine Creek if you want. Enjoy BV and Salida and try to stay around for FIBark on the 15th -18th if you can. I promise you one of the best party nights will be Friday the 17th with The Motet offering up some of the best vibes ever.
If you are interested in the Western Slope. Swing thru Dowd Chute on the Eagle, and Gore Creek thru Vail for the combo. Then head out to the Crystal River and Slaughterhouse on the Roaring Fork in Aspen. Due that touristy thang right!! It's all good. Check out eddyflower.com for the Beta. Being from back East, you wouldn't happen to be rollin with some OC1er's would ya?
Need some help. I'll be driving into Golden on June 3rd from Chattanooga, TN. Came out last year for the first time and ran Lower Clear Creek (Golden), Gunny Gorge, Royal Gorge, and the Numbers, and Browns Canyon. Can anyone suggest some class III or IV rivers that will be going during that time? Thanks for the help.
Linear Mode
