FRYINGPAN RIVER Upper Pan

Put-in	Norrie Colony
Takeout	Bridge
Length	3 miles (6 miles to Reudi)
Difficulty	<300 cfs	IV+
	300-600 cfs	V-
	> 600 cfs	V

Special Beta:            Long drive but high-quality IV+/V– creeking. Watch for logs.

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

Here is a personal favorite that lies high up in the beautiful valley above Reudi Reservoir. These upper reaches of the Fryingpan are nestled in a lush alpine setting of tall pines, rounded glacial boulders, and clear cold water. The whitewater is technical but not overly threatening, and you will almost surely have the river all to yourself.

There are some drawbacks, however, to this special Colorado whitewater experience. Getting to these waters requires a substantial bit of traveling. Even if you are holed up in Basalt, the nearest town to the Upper Pan, it will take nearly an hour of driving time just to get to the put-in. The other factor that really pulls this run’s teeth is the diversion that sucks Fryingpan River water over into the Arkansas basin for agricultural use. As part of the Hunter-Fryingpan Project, the Pan is partially de-watered much like the Upper Roaring Fork and boasts only a shadow of what must have been its former glory. Despite these drawbacks, the Upper Pan is an area classic at the grade and a run that is well worth its trouble.

Below the put-in bridge you enter a series of technical pool-drop rapids of a IV to IV+ nature. Quickly you discover the nature of this run: fast, technical, and loaded with potential pin spots. Though the rocks are generally rounded and forgiving, wood can manifest in particularly heinous ways. Careful boat scouting can help you avoid the worst of it, but beware of nasty, surprising placements.

About halfway down the upper section the North Fork of the Fryingpan comes in on the right, sometimes doubling the flow. The rapids become even more continuous below here. Though most of the drops are indistinct and run head on into the next, there is one particular spot on a left bend not far above the bridge that is probably the crux of the run.

Below this rapid the river goes down a straight stretch and bends right underneath a bridge (about three miles in the run). Most people nowadays takeout here. Some good class III-IV whitewater, however, still exists between here and the headwaters of the Reudi Reservoir where there is another excellent takeout. After all the driving, I would recommend either getting out at the bridge and driving back up to repeat on the cheddah, or continuing on down through more mellow boating to the lake and basking in the scene.

Getting There

 From Basalt take FR 105 27.5 miles past Reudi Reservoir on Fryingpan Road to the town of Norrie Colony. Pass the dam at mile 13.7 and the bridge at the inlet for the lake (possible takeout) at mile 21.8. Reach another bridge at mile 24.6. This is the takeout for the upper section only. Continue 2.7 miles further to Norrie Colony where you can park in a pull-out in a meadow. Hike to the creek and put-in anywhere downstream of a bridge.

FRYINGPAN RIVER Lower Pan

Put-in	Seven Castles
Takeout	Basalt
Length	7 miles
Difficulty	250-500 cfs	IV-
	500-1,000 cfs	IV
	> 1,000 cfs	IV+

Special Beta: Good intro to creek boating, but beware of wood!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

The Lower Pan is an excellent off-the-beaten path run with beautiful scenery, easy access, and surprising high-class whitewater. Though meager releases from Reudi Reservoir often choke the life right out of the Lower Pan, I rarely miss an opportunity to paddle this section when the water level rises.

Driving up from Basalt to the put-in you will be able to see much of this run. Beware, however, of spots where the river lies away from the road, as this run does have a way of accumulating some gnarly log placements. The crux rapid, just below a pull-out 2/3rds of the way through the run, is partially visible from the road, but you must use the pullout to see it all. This rapid is long and a bit technical and swimming anywhere on this creek is ill-advised. I have seen swamped kayaks lost here.

The slide just below the put-in

The usual put-in is just above an obvious slide that is clearly visible from the road. There is a good pull-off here to park your car and gear up. Though the slide looks big from the road, it paddles fairly easy. Dodge a hole at the top and stay upright and you will be fine (III+/IV-). A couple of quick, semi-technical rapids come in quick succession. Beware of log placements in these tight, bony drops. Not far downstream the river enters a zone where a large mudslide five-ten years ago completely re-channeled the river. Now the creek has been diverted into a grove of trees. Beware of strainers here until the stream is able to re-establish its channel.

A long stretch of II-III whitewater follows with fun turns and good eddies. Always be alert for possible strainers. After a couple of miles the river mellows out and you pass some very beautiful homes along the riverbanks. There is a possible river access on the right at a large right-hand meander. As you come out of this turn you enter the crux rapid.

You come around a right-hand turn and the rapid will come into view. It is a good idea to eddy out here. This rapid is probably best pre-scouted from the pullout as you run the shuttle, and might be worth a look for those uncomfortable with class IV. Though the rapid itself is only IV- (except possibly at high water when it is more difficult) the bony streambed makes for gnarly consequences in the event of catastrophe. The river drops down a straightforward chute with large waves then bends left and tumbles through a series of small ledges and holes. A pinrock here or there spices things further. Things taper slowly but remain vigorous for a few corners before mellowing. A sharp drop just as the canyon opens up and you start to enter Basalt, however, can spank you if you are off-guard. This rapid is particularly treacherous at high water (III+/IV).

The Pan mellows as it rolls through Basalt. The takeout at 7-11 in on river left just below the river empties into the Roaring Fork.

GETTING THERE

The takeout is in Basalt just off Highway 82 at a dirt boat ramp next to the 7-11 store. To reach the put-in, head upstream on the Fryingpan Road 4.2 miles from Basalt towards Reudi Reservoir at a dirt pullout next to an obvious slide rapid. The pull-out next to the crux rapid is found 1.8 miles up Fryingpan from the 4-way intersection with Two Rivers Road.