COLORADO RIVER Barrel Springs

Put-in	Hanging Lake
Takeout	Shoshone (or Grizzly Creek)
Length	2.2 miles (3.6 miles to Grizzly)
Difficulty	< 2,000 cfs	IV+ (P)
	2,000-5,000 cfs	V- (VI-)
	5,000-10,000 cfs	V (VI-)
	> 10,000 cfs	VI-

Special Beta: Colorado big water with roadside access!

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The hardest, most dangerous rapid on the entire Colorado Rier lies not in the famed Grand Canyon or the depths of Cataract Canyon or Westwater or even Gore Canyon, but here in Glenwood Canyon only a few minutes drive from Glenwood Springs.

Formerly known as Kayaker’s Nightmare, and considered unrunnable, these days this infamous rapid, re-christened Upper Death, has been downgraded to V+ and is run with some regularity. In my opinion, Upper Death is worthy of tipping into the VI- to VI grade. Regardless of the class rating, it is a very serious drop and infrequently ran. It is quite possibly the hardest rapid in the Roaring Fork Valley.

This section of river, often called “Barrel”. Is plagued by unfortunate logistical problems that have undermined its reputation as a premier, cutting-edge, big water run. First, the put-in and takeout are only accessible from the eastbound lanes of I-70, which makes the shuttle annoyingly complicated. Second, when I-70 was constructed the signature rapid was hidden under a bridge from interstate viewers, reducing the “siren” effect that such a magnificent rapid can have. Third, and most important, the diversion at Shoshone Dam pulls the teeth of the river here, rendering it dry for much of the season. Despite this, Barrel still offers some of the only big water hair boating in Colorado and is a very worthy run for the expert kayaker.

After working through Barrel’s unique logistical issues, carry your boat down the bike path past Shoshone Dam to the crux rapid, Upper Death. It is not worth putting in in-between the dam and falls.

Barrel Springs Rapid

Upper Death is a serious rapid at all levels, and probably unrunnable at certain water levels. The rapid is a three-tiered cascade with a large, steep ramp at the bottom with a powerful hole studded with ugly rocks in the froth. A cave on the left halfway down the rapid and an undercut at the bottom on the right further increases the danger of the line. The rapid deserves a V+/VI- rating depending on the flow.

A short pool separates Upper Death from its unruly stepchild Lower Death. At the lowest runnable levels you can paddle around and warm-up in the pool between the two, but usually it’s a rocket blast start into some immediate cruxy moves. IV+ at its easiest, Lower Death gets harder as the water comes up. Lower Death is full-on class V at medium to high levels.

A mile and a half of intermittent II/II+ lands you in the pool above Barrel Springs, the namesake drop and an area classic.

Pioneered in the early 80’s by paddlers like Matt Gaines and Kevin Padden, Barrel is a rapid of preeminence in the Roaring Fork Valley. Though the rapid has undergone numerous topographical changes, it is a long and difficult rapid usually rated IV+ to V- at low to medium levels, thus it is not as cutting edge as it used to be. At high water, however, Barrel is full-on class V+ with dangerous consequences. Even the best boaters will be challenged at these levels. I have been with world-class playboaters who passed on Barrel over 5,000 cfs.

Barrel is a long rapid, and its continuous nature add to its difficulty. The crux moves come in the top third, which is often called the “S-turn”. Depending on the flow, a big hole backed up by some sharp rocks or turbulent laterals will give you pause. Some people choose to put-in below the S-turn crux and only paddle the “Dogleg”, the long curving runnout that ends in a move right to avoid an ugly hole/roostertail (IV/IV+). At lower levels and exciting center line exists.

Below the Dogleg, the river eases but still remains turbulent, crashing through a rapid I have always called “Lower Barrel” or “Post-Barrel” (III+/IV). After a couple of corners the river calms and you may be tempted into thinking the difficulties are over. But alas, one more tricky drop exists. Just around the corner and out-of-sight from the powerplant and boatramp at the Shoshone Powerplant is a sneaky, sharp drop that cannot be seen from the interstate. The hole here is violent and deceptive. A somewhat straightforward sneak exists but you must be much further left than it appears from above, or risk being typewritered into the stickiest spot (IV-).