Kara Lamb/ Big T

[Arn]

Kara,
Thanks for all your information on water flows this year. Any idea if the Big T will run through the weekend at its current level?

Thanks,
Arn

[klamb]

Hi Arn and everybody,

Yup. They'll be making a change on Olympus Dam's gate after lunch today, so the upper section of the canyon should be running at 368 cfs by late this afternoon (perfect for that after-work run, I'd imagine).

We've got a good situation for kayaking on the Big T right now. Because we are doing some maintenance on the Charles Hansen canal, all water deliveries are being made through the Big T river. The maintenance will probably last another week. Agricultural demands for the last crop rotation will probably stay on through the majority of October. If the weather stays warm, these higher flows just might continue in the Big T. But, those are the three main factors: canal maintenance, agricultural demands, and weather.

So, keep your eyes on the gage, and feel free to give me a holler if you have any questions.

Best,
Kara

[badkins]

Thanks for the info Kara, paddling the Big T has been a great september suprise! I feel especially lucky that I got on it at 500cfs! I'll be there this evening if anyone else want to show up, run from the hair down to drake..

stpcrkr@yahoo.com

[RiverWrangler]

Kara,
I don't even know you and I feel like I love you. You are the best. Muchos Gracias por la bonita beta.
Check out the Big Thompson fall action @ http://coloradokayaking.com/main.php...l415446c8de2ca
"Got to get her while you can." Big T is still flowing strong and rising. This is unprecedented. If you're not feeling up to the gnar, run the sections below it. Big T does not, I repeat, does not run this long very often. It's a beautiful day, get out there and get her done. And don't forget to send in your stories and river reports. Peace.
Evan J. Stafford
editors@coloradokayaking.com

[boof512]

I am so happy I may just pee myself!!!
Possibly (knock on wood) another week? This is to good to be true!

Thanks to the water gods
patrick

[dvanhouten]

Patrick,

If you pee off the bridge over the Big T behind the shop, then race downstream, maybe you'll gain another 1/2 cfs!

Cheers,

Doug

[blutzski]

Thanks to the water gods

um... thank the dambuilders and water buffaloes.

[afox]

Are there any III-IV sections of the Big T, even any short sections of harder runs if you're willing to portage a few rapids that someone can recommend? Everything i've read about in CRC is IV+.

Jonesin for water,
Andrew

[Johnny P]

Anybody going to be up there tomorrow AM? Dumb question I know but Three of us would like to get out w/ someone who knows the IV section. I am not worried about a IV at all but I think there are some portages we need to know about.

Call on my cell as I will not have e-maile access in a few.

JP
720-273-8636

[poudregrif]

Thanks to all for beta on the bigT runs.

Andrew, you can see last weeks bigT thread for more thorough descriptions.
But this is what I've understood from everybody's inputs.

mix of II to IV from estes down to the handicapped fishing spot
(weren't some guys talking about running this? if so was it worthwile?)
knarly Vs as pictured on coloradokayaking.com (sweet photo essay!)
mostly III, occasional IV-, and two easily scouted/portaged IV+ between the hair and drake
(one of the IV+ is easily seen from the road, thanks for the details badkins)
III-IVish ? from the 1st damn below drake to smith viestenz park
2 "sporty" rapids shortly after the park in a fun canyon away from the road
longer II section from the non roadside canyon to the next damn
(don't worry, great eddy on left just above the damn)
continuous III from the damn to the mouth of the canyon
(look out for left overhanging rock with tons o water going under it by hwy bridge)

All I've done so far is beat up some newish class III friends on 2 runs from
the park to the canyon mouth. See my trip planner post if you want to do III, IV on sunday. I'll likely portage the two IV+ drops depending on how they look.
-Mike