COLORADO RIVER Grizzly Creek to Two Rivers

Grizzly Creek area at high water

Put-in	Grizzly Creek Rest Area
Takeout	Two Rivers Boat Ramp
Length	6 miles
Difficulty	< 2,000 cfs	II
	2,000-5,000 cfs	II+
	5,000-10,000 cfs	III
	> 10,000 cfs	III

Fun Factor:

Fear Factor:


     This fun section, known locally as “Grizzly,” is one of the best advanced-beginner runs around. During the summer you will find craft of all sorts on this section: rafts, kayaks, canoes, inner tubes, inflatable alligators. Busy holiday weekends such as Memorial Day or Fourth of July can seem like a floating party or circus complete sometimes with costumes, fireworks, and considerable alcohol ingestion.
     The boatramp at Grizzly Creek can be a busy place with commercial and private boaters converging and departing from the large eddy. On hot summer days, spectators line the banks where Grizzly Creek makes its last tumble into the Colorado River and wave ecstatically as you paddle by. Many of them can only imagine what it must be like to float on the Colorado River. Bear in mind that to many of them you are an exotic species.

MILE BY MILE
13.8 PUT-IN on river right at the Grizzly Creek Boatramp. Downstream, the river negotiates a series of easy riffles (II-/II) until it reaches the first major corner to the right after about a mile.

Just upstream of the put-in at 16,000 cfs in 2011

1.1 Rapid (II/II+). This drop features a small wave/hole in the middles and some large rocks on the left and left of center. Big waves form here at high water. A short, straight section follows, before the river bends left.

1.35 Maintenance Rapid (II+/III). One of the crux rapids of the run. At low water the line through Maintenance is straightforward: left of center splitting several rocks on the right and a steep pourover on the left. Above about 6,000 cfs, however, a big wave train forms that culminates in a large, crashing hole capable of flipping a poorly handled raft. Below Maintenance is a long, easy runout before a huge eddy river left.

2.1  “Refrigerator Rock”, a large rectangular shaped block left-of-center. This rock serves as a good flow gauge and goes under around 7,000 cfs. After the long Refrigerator Rock riffle, the river bends left away from I-70 to begin its journey around the small town of No Name.

2.45 The first rapid (II-/II+) of the No Name bend is a straightforward left-angling chute that forms fun rolling waves at most levels. Just downstream the river crosses under a zipline and passes through a small right-hand corner with some funny water at high flows. There is a boat ramp on right (private RIVER ACCESS only) and a campground. This is the Glenwood Canyon Resort and home of Rock Gardens Rafting. You can camp here for a fee. There are showers and other amenities up higher away from the river. An easy stretch of water follows.

3.3 No Name Eddy, also sometimes called Boxcar Eddy due to unsubstantiated rumors that a train once derailed here and deposited one of the boxcars in the deep water. Raft guides, always quick with tall tales, will also say this is the deepest spot on the Colorado River above the Grand Canyon. While I have never heard this officially confirmed, the water here is very deep. No Name Eddy is a possible RIVER ACCESS, but probably only for small boats like kayaks, canoes, and duckies due to the steep bank you have to ascend to get to the road. No Name Eddy is a nice mid-point to separate Grizzly into upper and lower halves. Both top and bottom can easily be done after school or work. Immediately downstream of Boxcar/No Name Eddy is a pair of islands and a fun riffle (II).

3.5 The river bends left below and starts around wind through Horseshoe Bend, Glenwood Canyon’s most pronounced oxbow. The enjoyable thing about Horseshoe Bend is that I-70 is channeled through a tunnel to cut off the oxbow, thus returning the river corridor a more natural and much quieter state. This section is a nice but short-lived reprieve from the engine breaks and motorcycle-brigades that plague the rest of the canyon. Horseshoe Bend is also home to some of the most challenging whitewater on the run.

3.9 Two short drops (II+/III-), which merge together at medium and high water, challenge novices to read currents and dodge several mid-channel rocks/holes.
A great eddy on the right and a picnic table mark the end of the harder stuff and makes for a great place to stretch the legs and get out of your boat.

4.3 After Horseshoe Bend the river bends left and returns to the interstate for one last tricky rapid (II+/III-). Watch for some rocks in mid-channel and some problematic currents. Big holes lurk here at high water. Below this point, the canyon starts to open and you paddle into Glenwood Springs proper. Though the river remains fast it should not exceed II-/II.

5.4 Cross under Grand Avenue Bridge (Highway 82) in the heart of Glenwood Springs. The Hot Springs Pool is up and on your right. Interestingly, before the riverbed was re-arranged in the 1880’s this used to be a huge island in the channel with part of the flow running directly through where the Hot Springs Pool now sits.

5.7 The river goes under a pedestrian bridge and the Roaring Fork River empties into the Colorado on the left. It is fun to paddle to where the two rivers collide and feel the difference in temperatures, more apparent in summer than spring when they are both cold.

6.0 TAKEOUT on the right at the Two Rivers Park Boat ramp.

GETTING THERE
The Grizzly Creek Rest Area is accessed from exit 121 off I-70 in Glenwood Canyon. There are several other river access points that can be used to customize the length of your trip.

The access at No Name Eddy is good for small boats and splits the run roughly in half. To get here, exit I-70 at the hamlet of No Name (exit 119) and turn west (downstream) at a four-way intersection. Follow this road all the way to a gate and a small dirt pull off. A short but steep dirt trail leads to the water.

The easier and more popular takeout is at Two Rivers Park in the town of Glenwood Springs. Leave I-70 at the Main Glenwood exit (exit 116) and turn west at a major intersection. Follow this road for .4 miles past several hotels and turn left onto Devereux Road (just before you cross under the gondola). Cross over the interstate and Two Rivers Park is on your left.

COLORADO RIVER Dotsero to Bair Ranch

Put-in	Dotsero Boat Ramp
Takeout	Bair Ranch
Length	6 miles
Difficulty	< 2,000 cfs	I+
	2,000-5,000 cfs	I+
	5,000-10,000 cfs	II
	> 10,000 cfs	II

Special Beta: Put your noobs here!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

If there ever was an ideal section of river for a first river experience, it is this one. Smooth, calm corners, huge deep eddies, and two or three minor wave trains define this run. For a beginner, especially one that is on the timid side, this is the perfect place to start. As opposed to many Colorado class I’s, this section is deep, making it safer for the bottomside-top beginner.

The put-in for this section is at the dirt boat ramp just upstream of the I-70 bridge in Dotsero (river left). This adds 3 miles of calm water and the section’s most difficult rapid (I+ at most levels). A shorter run, however, can be had by driving downstream from the Dotsero exit along Highway 6 to the trailhead at the east end of the Glenwood Canyon Bike Path. This abridged version has the best eddies and two good riffles (I+) but loses the best rapid.

Although this section is great for beginners at most flows, very high water (over 10,000 cfs) some dangerous currents form.

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.

COLORADO RIVER South Canyon to New Castle

Put-in	South Canyon
Takeout	New Castle
Length	6 miles
Difficulty	< 2,500 cfs	II+
	2,500-5,000 cfs	III-
	5,000-10,000 cfs	III
	> 10,000 cfs	III+

Special Beta: Colorado big water with roadside access!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

This novice/intermediate section of river is even less frequently paddled than Two Rivers to South Canyon above it. Despite this, however, it is a worthy run for the advanced beginner or intermediate paddler. Mellow water peppered with several stiffer corners define this run.

Below the boatramp at South Canyon you enter a long, calm stretch good for warming up. The canyon is tight here and you are still in the burned-out remnants of two major forest fires (the 2002 Coal Seam and the 1994 Storm King). After the calm straightaway the river bends right into a long, mellow riffle (II-/II) with some big rocks along the right bank. The river calms below this drop and bends left. A horizon line emerges in front of you marking a short, steep drop sometimes called Landslide (II+/III-) Mudslides after the Storm King Fire added rocks to the river here, making the rapid significantly harder. A chute on the right is obstructed by large crashing waves at high water and the left is steep and hard to see over. Several possible chutes exist as well as several holes that could munch an offline kayaker or tuber.

The action is short-lived and the river mellows below this point. A dangerous railroad bridge, however, just above the confluence of Canyon Creek is treacherous at highwater. The best way is not always obvious from above, but most boaters split the two pylons.

Surfing South Canyon circa 2004

Below the bridge Canyon Creek enters on the right (possible river access). Two mellow but interesting rapids follow, one with a surprising hole at low water that seems to draw inexperienced boaters like a magnet (II+). After this the river calms as it passes under the former site of a pipe bridge long used by local high school kids for jumping. A few years back the old pipe bridge fell into the river. The river bends right below here into a stout riffle we used to call “Jurassic Park” for its proximity to Dinosaur Hole (II/II+).

Said Dinosaur Hole is a short ways downstream next to a fenced-in Dinosaur Quarry. The quarry contains a stegosaurus but was fenced off due to the presence of low-grad radioactive material. The rapid is short but contains a monstrous hole in the center above ~10,000 cfs. Most boaters skirt the hole to the right where big waves form at high water (II/III). Tibbets Landing, a popular river access, is just downstream on the right.

Below Tibbets, the river becomes even more mellow. While much of this section is highly visible from I-70, this stretch is even less-frequently paddled. The river bends right below Tibbets and enters a long riffle with some basement rock ledges about midway down that form some ledgy waves at medium levels (II/II+). A long calm stretch follows.

After going underneath a bridge in New Castle, the river enters one last rapid immediately above the takeout. This tricky drop has some medium-sized hole in the main channel and some sneaky rocks to avoid (II+). The takeout is at a boat ramp just downstream.

ROARING FOR RIVER Cemetery Section

Put-in	Westbank
Takeout	Veltus Park (or Two Rivers Park)
Length	7 miles
Difficulty	< 1,000 cfs	II+
	1,000-3,000 cfs	II+(III-)
	3,000-6,000 cfs	III- (III)
	> 6,000 cfs	III

Special Beta: Beautiful rural class II+

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

Cemetery is not dramatic, stout or playful enough to be a classic, but I love it. I learned to kayak in large part on these waters and you descend into the heart of Glenwood Springs, my home for the past fifteen years. There is some play here at various levels and at high water the rapids are actually quite fun.

I have paddled Cemetery from around 600 cfs to 9,000 cfs. It is a very different run at these extremes but still maintains its particular rural charm.

Immediately below the put-in upstream of the Westbank Bridge, move right or left of a pylon that could easily spoil your day. Still, it would take an inattentive boater to blow it here. After the bridge you enter a lengthy and surprising rapid. Easy chutes and cruiser rock dodging defines it at low water, but several powerful waves and holes develop as the water comes up (II/II+).

The river mellows but remains swift for a few corners. The occasional rock allows for mediocre play and eddy turn possibilities. At mm __ the river bends left and splits around a series of islands. The left channel holds the most water and is the common route. Here a crashing wave or sleeper at low water blocks much of the channel (II/II+). Move right to avoid.

Below here the main channel regains all its water and you float past a pretty log cabin on river left. This used to be one of my favorite spots on the run. Cool eddies made for a good place to rest and the river is down in a “canyon” and feels very rural and serene. In recent years, however, a paranoid landowner decided it was necessary to erect No Trespassing signs every 20 feet along both sides of the river. While I can understand the problem of boaters not respecting the private property they are floating through, especially on this busy section of river, it is sad that this age of liability paranoia and “this land is my land, this land is my land” mentality has spawned this unsightly intrusion.

The river gets all from all roads and homes briefly after this, and enters a very pretty and mellow section of river. Here you will find an island with very shallow channels at low flows. Not far downstream the river bends left into a fun wave train alongside red rocks on river right (II/II+). The river flattens and gets very deep below here and there is a possible RIVER ACCESS on the right at a church and site of the former Buffalo Valley restaurant.

After crossing under a cable the river bends right into the first in the series of rapids called Cemetery. The first drop has a hole/sleeper in the center that is easy to miss. The second is where the river bends back to the left and consists of a fun wave train and a huge eddy on the right (II). Immediately downstream lies a series of disjunct rapids, one with huge boulders on river left (popular low-water jump rocks dubbed “the boogers”) that form very large holes at high water, and the beginning of Cemetery proper.

Cemetery is a lengthy rapid with some rocks/holes to maneuver through/around. The crux comes at a right elbow in the channel next to the Riverside Cottages (river right). This series of rapids rates from II+ at the lowest levels to solid III above around 4,500 cfs. After a brief and swift reprieve you enter Lower Cemetery where Three Mile Creek enters on  the left. An excellent and popular beach on the left, accessed by a trail from either Glenwood Park or Mountain Market off Midland Ave, marks the end of the Cemetery sequence.

The river mellows below these fun rapids and crosses beneath the Old Cardiff Bridge. A big rock/hole on the right and several other rocks make for some obstacles/opportunities to play.

Below this point the river is never more than class II. The town of Glenwood Springs makes its presence increasingly known. A big wave/hole forms in the center of the channel adjacent to the Safeway on river right (quite a ways above river level). After a few swift corners you arrive at Veltus Park on river left, a good and popular RIVER ACCESS. Small rafts and kayaks usually land just upstream of the obvious eddy with the wrought-iron fence. Bigger craft, or any boat wanting a little more space, usually continue a quarter-mile farther to the confluence with the Colorado River and the boat ramp at Two River Park on river right.