CRYSTAL RIVER Avalance to BRB (A to B)

Put-in	Avalanche Creek
Takeout	BRB Campground
Length	6 miles
Difficulty	< 500 cfs	III-
	500-1,000 cfs	III
	> 1,000 cfs	III+

Fun Factor:

Fear Factor:


Special facts: Continuous pushy whitewater with class III amplifications. The cold, fast water and sharp riverbed make for big consequences and there have been several accidents on this run.


The Avalanche to BRB section of the Crystal River is a tempting and pretty intermediate run. However, the clear water and beautiful setting belie a surprisingly serious run. As with almost all sections of the Crystal, it is wise to add a number grade when factoring consequences. I think it would be fair to call this a straightforward class III run but with class IV consequences due to its occasional log hazards, brutally cold water and continuous nature. The rock here, along with all sections of the lower Crystal, is also very sharp.

The rapids of this run are defined mostly by continuous wave trains with amplified corners. One rapid, called Marble (III+) is a slight amplification of the others and can easily be seen from the road while driving the shuttle. It is next to a large pullout.