COLORADO RIVER Two Rivers to South Canyon

Put-in	Two Rivers Park
Takeout	South Canyon Boat Ramp
Length	6 miles
Difficulty	< 2,500 cfs	II+ (III-)
	2,000-5,000 cfs	II+ (III)
	5,000-10,000 cfs	III
	> 10,000 cfs	III+

Special Beta: Colorado big water with roadside access!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

The section from Two Rivers Park at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers down to South Canyon below town is more urban, industrial, and quieter than the runs in Glenwood Canyon. Compared to the Grizzly section upstream, South Canyon generally has fewer, but slightly bigger rapids. As of the spring of 2008 it also has the Glenwood Spring Whitewater Park, a manmade wave that is best at highwater but offers play opportunities at every level. The 2009 U.S. Freestyle Kayak team trials were held here.

Immediately downstream of Two Rivers Park the river crosses under a tall bridge with dangerous but easily avoided columns. After another long, calm stretch alongside a railyard, the river bends left through an easy riffle (II-/II) Not far downstream the river splits around an island and drops through a lengthy rapid (II/II+). A couple of nice beaches and the private boat ramp belonging to Whitewater Rafting are just downstream on the left.

There are several warning signs regarding the whitewater park, informing boats to “scout/portage” on the right. In reality, for a properly managed boat, there shouldn’t be any reason to do either. Negotiating the whitewater park, in fact, is no more difficult than negotiating South Canyon Rapid not far downstream. The structure is just upstream of the large road bridge in West Glenwood near the West Glenwood on-ramp. If you are feeling uneasy about the whitewater park, give it a quick scout before starting the run. It is a fun place to hang out anyway, with grassy, tiered seating, a few benches, and some large rocks. The only downside is the lack of available parking.

The hole/wave itself has caused some problems for boats, particularly in its first year when people weren’t yet accustomed to running it. Right of center is the worst spot, where medium and high water brings the most powerful and trashy part of the wave. Make sure to stay far right to avoid the worst of it (II+/III-)

Below the whitewater park the river starts to leave Glenwood behind and enter South Canyon. You are now also entering the burn area of the 2002 Coal Seam Fire. The remains of the 1994 Storm King Fire, which killed 14 firefighters, are also visible. Now, years later, many of the signs of those two important days in Glenwood Springs’ history are starting to be erased. A few easy corners will take you past a wastewater treatment facility and to the top of a long, straight rapid just as you leave town. This rapid is best taken left of center at almost every level to avoid a couple of sleepers which turn into big holes at medium levels (II+/III). A couple of easier riffles come in quick succession below this rapid (II).

After a calm stretch the river bends right into “Upper South Canyon,” a wave train with some fun laterals and big rollers (II+). A fast, flat section greets boaters below this rapid and the black, iron bridge at South Canyon comes into view.

South Canyon is the crux rapid of the run. It is a large wave train with big laterals and crashing whitecaps. At higher water a bridge pylon river right can cause some problems for an off-line or swamped boat. A huge eddy on the left adjacent to the rapid and an even bigger one on the right at the bottom aid in cleaning up any carnage you might experience. These features help minimize any protracted hardships and keep the grading of the rapid to a manageable III-/III. One more straightforward rapid (II/II+) leads to the boat ramp on the right.