After getting the first-D on treasure canyon last year, Rick and I are being big skirts when it comes to running it this year (too busy working on the next big-D). But as promised here is all the beta you need to knock yourselfs out!!! Literally!
I have talked to one of two groups that I know have made it down this year, and by most accounts is sounds great.
From Denver area: Drive to Alamosa...continue west to Monte Vista, take a left at the Dairy Queen, follow until you see the signs for Alamosa River. After following this road for a few miles, you will come over a crest and see the Resv. and River. Continue to follow the river for almost 30 miles, after the town of Jasper you will come to a fork in the road. The campground at the bottom is the takeout....if your follow the 4x4 road to Summitville (apx 6 miles) the road takes a sharp turn, veer left into the meadow. There is a large open meadow....any where in here is the put-in.
The road continues to head west, and crosses the river over a small bridges. This is the true put-in. Use caution.
From accounts this weekend the top drop (unnamed) is quite beefy, and should be run only with caution. The steep drop and angle of the sharp rocks makes for a nasty hit to your boat.
Special thought should be taken before running this drop. Below this drop the rivers stays very calm, a few drops and you will soon see a large horizon line. This first large drop Boner Falls (Photo on KayakingColorado) is what I would recommend putting in above. At levels of 400 CFS and above this can be run on both sides....
Next mile is great...and fast...first gorge comes up fast, and at lower levels there is a large rock that would peton a boat. Scout to make sure the rock is covered. Immediatly following the first gorge there are two nice 8-12 foot waterfall style drops.
Over the next 2 miles the river keeps a steady pace before entering the second gorge, there is a 20' clean waterfall, unfortunatly there is alot of wood. Make sure you eddie out well above this drop.
The next large drop is 56 falls...higher water levels will allow you to run either side of a large boulder, left side is slightly easier than going river right.
Once you hit the large meadow (possible bears!!) you are half way down. If the first section was tough, special consideation should be given to the bottom (hiking out is still an option), if you loved the top, you will have a blast in the bottom.
After a mile or so of great classs 4, you will come upon the third gorge, PORTAGE!!! Make sure you get the hell out or you could be the first to run this large one. For now there is alot of wood, at the right level this drop might be run, but for now Portage.
The crux move of the whole run is Twizler Falls, immediatly following the 30 foot portage, there is a granite landing which will give the hair boater just enough time to slide into this rapid. At lower flows you will need to stay far right, and last minute shoot hard left and boof the hole at the bottom.
In between the last rapid and Twizler are a series of 10 foot drops, really straight forward...OBJ style.
The forth and final gorge is called Half-and-Half. While the first 4-5 miles have been large pool drop, H&H is long and consistent class 5. THe small eddie half way down (Hense half and half) is your only eddie, and at higher flows is probably all but gone.
Please be very watchfull of wood, the last group said there was ALOT of wood.
I hope you all get a chance to run this soon to be classic.
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