VIDEO GUIDE: Slaughterhouse Run Roaring Fork River

An in-depth look at the Slaughterhouse Run on the Roaring Fork River in Colorado at low water. Includes all of the major rapids and a few of the lesser-known rapids also.

VIDEO: Charlie MacArthur Whitewater SUP

One of the great paddlers of Colorado, owner of Aspen Kayak School and now whitewater SUP pioneer, Charlie MacArthur pus on a display of what stand-up paddleboards are capable of in the whitewater realm. Includes film of the Slaughterhouse section of the Roaring Fork River in Colorado, the Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park, Big Sur and more.

Video: Tubing the Upper Gauley

Yes that's right, tubing on the famous Upper Gauley. Besides sounding like a rather absurd idea, this video actually provides an excellent look at the Gauley's rapids. Does he stick the line? Guess you'll have to watch to find out.


Tubing the Upper Gauley from Chris Baer on Vimeo.

TRIP REPORT: Numbers of the Arkansas

The Dark Heart of the Arkansas

“But there was in it one river especially, a mighty river resembling an immense snake uncoiled.... The snake had charmed me.” Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

Just below the Numbers put-in

Fourteen years ago my paddling partner, Noah, and I dipped our kayaks into the turbid waters of the Arkansas River just downstream of the tiny hamlet of Granite, Colorado. The water level was a spicy 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), not high exactly but fast enough to push the river’s signature rapid, Pine Creek, into the realm of class V. The two of us navigated our boats through a playground of bouncy class III-IV warm-up water, arriving after a few miles at the familiar horizon line that marked the start of the infamous rapid.

We were arrogant teenagers, admittedly driven by ego and seduced by the notion of personal glory. Just a few weeks earlier at a slightly lower flow of 1,500 cfs we had negotiated Pine Creek without incident, but the extra 500 cfs proved just enough to tip the danger scale into the red. We scouted for nearly half an hour, neither daring to admit our skills might not be equal to the maelstrom below us. Finally it was me who cast aside hubris and surrendered to the reality that I simply wasn’t up for the challenge.

“It looks terrible,” I said to Noah nervously. “It will always be here tomorrow. We’ll come back.”
But that “tomorrow” never came. The next season, Noah badly dislocated his shoulder during high water in the Colorado River’s Glenwood Canyon. The resulting swim was so traumatic he hung up his paddle up for good. As for myself, my passions drifted away from the river and instead towards high peaks and vertical rock faces as a climber and mountaineer. Fourteen years ago I would have been disappointed with fifty river days in a summer. Now I am lucky to count ten.

But every now and then, my mind returns to the dark heart of that serpentine river between Granite and Buena Vista. And I often want to go back and complete that run we started.

These days I am no longer a teenager but a married man in the early half of his 30s. I have had enough accidents, near misses and dearly departed friends to have molted completely the illusion of teenage invulnerability. Any risk I am willing to take these days is far more calculated.
In the last half decade, I formed a new paddling alliance with an old friend, Derek, whom I have known since those early, more-reckless years. After a particularly gratifying high-water run down our backyard Colorado River, the conversation turned to the Arkansas and its foreboding crux, Pine Creek and The Numbers. This stretch of river, once the quintessential proving ground for the advanced and expert kayaker, has taken on, in a sense, the role of the elder statesmen: a wise but aged representative of a state full of world-class talent. While no longer cutting edge, it is still considered a classic. And as it turned out, Derek had never paddled it.

So it was that the two of us ended up strapping on our life jackets, cinching down our helmets and edging our kayaks into the Arkansas. Derek was barely six months off open heart surgery, and I was struggling with a troublesome neck injury that put my ability to roll and maneuver with the same skill as fourteen years earlier somewhat into question. We were infallible teenagers no longer.

After a brief scout and an honest analysis of our rusty skillset, we decided to test our nerves on The Numbers before considering the class V testpiece Pine Creek. Though a full number grade softer, The Numbers still consisted of five miles of tumbling class IV whitewater dropping at a consistent clip of just over 70 feet per mile.

There are six amplifications to the otherwise consistent whitewater, each given non-creative but nevertheless effective numerical designations (hence “The Numbers”). Numbers Four and Five had a long-standing reputation as the most difficult, and after a quick car-scout, Number Five seemed to give us the most pause. This, it seemed, would be the crux of our day.

The rapid entailed a river-wide ledge followed by an airplane turn of chaotic waves and fang-like boulders. From shore it looked like the open jaws of a snake eager to engulf us into its twisted interior.

After our pre-run scout, we nervously slid our kayaks into the water and let the put-in fade behind us. We negotiated Number One without incident, followed by Two and Three in quick succession. I felt a measure of confidence returning. Every line was clean: no flips, no swims, no bumps or grinds. The air was blue and the nearby Collegiate Peaks watched over like surly security guards, arms folded over their chests.

Dropping into Number 5

Around a corner, the river narrowed and accelerated into Number Four. Fourteen years before, Noah and I had plunged through this difficult rapid an hour after our “failure” at Pine Creek. It was this dusty memory I relied on now to guide us to the bottom. Right, left, right past some formidable hydrology and we were through the heart of Number Four. We congratulated ourselves with reserved exuberance, but the worst was still ahead.

After a brief lunch we paddled under a bridge and carved into an eddy on river left at the top of Number Five. From our low vantage, not much could be seen, only scattered boulders and the frenetic leap of crashing whitewater. We glanced at each other nervously. Like Marlow in Heart of Darkness, we had navigated our river and now confronted Kurtz at last.

But the rapid proved less than our minds had made it. I tipped over event horizon, punched through the river-wide hydraulic and, a few paddle strokes later, landed in the safety of the eddy below. Derek and I felt as self-assured as adolescents, having conquered each rapid with cool confidence and nearly flawless execution.

“We should have done Pine Creek!” I exclaimed. With the worst behind us it was easy to be cocky.
Derek nodded. “We can come back tomorrow. It will always be there.”

Yes, I thought to myself as my kayak bobbed up and down in the eddy. It will be there tomorrow. And the day after that.

(Check out the following video made from described descent of the Numbers):


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VIDEO: Lava Falls Carnage

While the Grand Canyon's Lava Falls may not be "the one by which all others are measured" as it used to be, it is still, without question, one of the most famous rapids in the world. By today's standards it probably earns anywhere from a III+ to IV+ rating, making it to understand its fearsome reputation as one of the gnarliest rapids in North America. The following video, however, shows that though this rapid may have shrunk in the whitewater world's eyes, it can still deliver some serious punishment. And still, discounting that this is "just" Lava Falls, this is one of the most serious beatdowns I have ever seen in a raft. By the end, even the raft's thwarts have been ripped out. Gnarly!

VIDEO: Remains of a River: A Source to Sea Journey of the Colorado River.

An inspiring video from the source to sea on the Colorado River. Examines issues of river access, water rights, conservation and adventure.

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.

MAIN ELK CREEK Main Elk Canyon

Put-in	Calm water above five-foot waterfall
Takeout	bridge (watch for private property)
Length	2 miles
Difficulty	Low water	IV (P)
	High water	V+

Special Beta: Colorado big water with roadside access!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

Here is an exploratory run that I was curious about for a long time and finally paddled in 2003. For years, I eyed the Main Elk as it coursed through New Castle, wondering if somewhere along its length there was potential for kayaking. Certainly the Elk has more then enough water, almost a thousand cfs in a big year, it seemed reasonable that some runnable whitewater might exist. Then, in 2003, I discovered this stretch while on a hike and was intrigued by the scenery, and the suprisingly good whitewater within.

Mushroom Rapid

All things consdiered, the Main Elk would be a viable run if it weren't for one crucial problem: access. The best whitewater is on public land but requires a hike of about a mile to get to. Since the private land surrounding the run is very exposed, and littered with fences and wood to portage, it is unlikely that you would be able to secretly descend. Were it not for such strictly guarded access, many other options would be available for paddling along this creek.

The riverbed itself is surprisingly clean (in 2008 no portages were necessary though a few trees needed to be be snuck or ducked) and consists of up to a mile and half of continuous class IV/V. If the juicy section were just a little longer or a little steeper, this run would be well worth the trouble.

Your day begins with a hike up Hadley Gulch Trail, around the private property, and into the canyon section on public land. Make sure to take a left when the trail forks off. About half a mile into your hike, the trail returns to creekside and the canyon walls close in. At high water, a stretch of the trail where it nears some cliffs will be well under water. If the water is knee deep here than it is probably too high. Scout as you hike to check for logs and see the tight, twisting, lines that you will need to negotiate. It is quality single-track creekin' in a beautiful alpine setting. Just passed the narrow portion of the trail near the cliffs, you will ascend a somewhat strenuous hill. Not far above this is the beginning of the meat. Scout this first series of rapids carefully! Put-in above the crux, where the river is calm and flat, and get warmed up. Once the rapids begin, they never slow down again!

The Triangle

The first drop is The Triangle, a small vert somewhat reminscent of Water Slide on Escalante Creek. Boof this five foot drop vigorously in the center to avoid ugly pinspots on both sides. Due to the consequences, and difficulty to execute the boof properly, this might be a class V drop. Eyeing the undercut pinspot suspiciously, we chose to portage. Just downstream is a sweeping, fun set of rapids and corners (beware of wood). At high water this section is a shotgun blast. The first ledge drops into a powerful hole and sneaks on either side lead to more problems. At these levels the whole stretch is probably class V+. Before long, the canyon walls close in, and you paddle through one of the more scenic parts of the river. A few swift corners later and you will land in the eddy above the crux rapid, Mushroom Rock (look for the huge mushroom shaped rock mid-channel). Mushy is a short, technical plunge with some potentially ugly lines. At high water a potential sneak opens up on the left though getting there is not as easy as it looks. The main line down the right picks its way through some sharp rocks and drops over an angled five-foot ledge that pushes you towards a cliff. At high water this ledge is shorter but the hole is really trashy. Just downstream is a small, runnable weir with a diversion intake and a potential pinspot.

Below Mushroom and the diversion drop, you are entering private land and are faced with a tough decision. You haven't been in your boat long and hiked a long way to get here, so getting out already is not an attractive option. But if you proceed any further, you will be entering private property with no legal option for exit until much further downstream (about seven miles). It is another half mile with some more decent III/IV whitewater to get down to the bridge where your car awaits, but the further you go, the deeper into private property you get. It is unclear how the landowners feel about kayakers, but judging by the numerous signs, they are serious about keeping their land private. We chose to paddle a short ways into the private property zone and discreetly portage our way back to the takeout. As you hike out you will catch glimpses of some interesting looking whitewater below, but are forbidden from further exploration by the private property.

There it is. Why write such a long description for such a mediocore run? Well, after all the work we put in to explore this drainage, I almost felt obligated to write it up. This will never be a good run. The access issues, unfortunately, are the big spoiler here. Were things different (perhaps with permission from the landowner?) this little creek would be well worth the effort. But it is there, and for those with an adventurous spirit, a taste for masochism, and a desire to see something far off the beaten track, the Main Elk might be for you.

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!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:


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-).

COLORADO RIVER Shoshone

Put-in	Shoshone Powerplant
Takeout	Grizzly Creek
Length	1.6 miles
Difficulty	< 2,000 cfs	III
	2,000-5,000 cfs	III+
	5,000-10,000 cfs	IV
	> 10,000 cfs	IV+

Special Beta: Colorado big water with roadside access!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

At regular levels Shoshone is one of Colorado’s benchmark class III runs. Seen by millions and paddled by many, Shoshone is one of the busiest stretches of river in the state. Very few, however, would likely call Shoshone their favorite.

         
As a long-time local paddler who has paddle Shoshone more times that I could ever count and at almost every level between 400 and 10,000 cfs, I have a certain fondness for this run; it is where I honed many of my skills. Shoshone does, however, have a few detractors that keep it from being a classic. First, length. At just over a mile and half, Shoshone is simply too short. Second, visibility. With a bikepath, train tracks, and a four-lane interstate, it is often hard to remember how amazing and beautiful Glenwood Canyon is. The noise pollution is tremendous. Third, this run is busy. Hoards of boats do Shoshone and the sheer volume of rafts and kayaks can change the nature of your day. Shoshone does have some things going for it, however, that make up for some of its shortcomings. It has deep, quality class III whitewater with ample opportunities for play (though none too amazing). It has consistent flows that keep it running when all else has gone dry. It is a great place for the skill-advancing intermediate to sharpen their kayaking teeth and learn skills necessary for more technical whitewater. These factors alone will always guarantee this run’s

The All Day Wave on Shoshone

popularity.

After putting in at the boat ramp below Shoshone Powerplant, you paddle a short riffle (II) to a huge eddy on river right above the first rapid, Baptism (III-/III+). Before I get into describing the rapids themselves, it is worth noting a fact or two about said rapids’ names.

The name game in Shoshone is a complete mess. While each of the rapids, and even some of the individual holes, rocks and even eddies, have been named, there seems to be a great deal of confusion about these names. Kayakers might call a rapid one thing and rafters might call the same drop by yet another moniker. Certain rapids might have two or more differing names depending on who you talk to. This first rapid, for example, is usually called Baptism (III-/III+), but I have also heard it called Upper Superstition in certain guidebooks. Oh well, I will try to note this discrepancies as I go along.

Baptism is a straightforward rapid with a large wave train at the top that widens into runnout that is peppered by holes or rocks depending on the level. This rapid merges into the next at medium and high levels.

The river bends hard right below Baptism and enters Tuttle’s Tumble (III/IV), which I have also heard called Lower Superstition. Tuttle’s features a large table rock in the center of the river that forms a big and trashy hole above 4,500 cfs or so. A river-right chute is the usual route around this obstacle. Move either left or right below Tuttle’s to avoid two off-set rocks at low water (the Olsen Twins) which turn into a huge, trashy hole at higher levels (Marty’s Diner). Immediately below Marty’s is a rocky runnout called Pinball Alley (II+/III) with a few sharp moves around small but troublesome rocks/holes. A big eddy on the left below provides a good place to stop before the next rapid.

Next up is The Wall (III/IV) one of the more distinct and fun rapids of the run. While almost everyone agrees that this rapid is called The Wall (named for a retaining wall on river left) I have seen it listed as China Wall in several publications. The river bends right through The Wall and crashed through a series of big waves and holes. Most boats enter left to miss two ledgy holes and pull right to miss a rock/hole at bottom-left of the drop. The slot between the two holes at the top is also a common gate for entry and shortens the pull right, making it especially popular for heavy rafts. Many rafts have flipped, however, flubbing this entry move and dropping into either of the two holes. Above 4,000 cfs these holes are powerful. Above 8,000 cfs they are basically washed out.

Below The Wall is a large eddy on river left followed by a short drop that forms a surf wave at lower levels. This drop is often called the All-Day Wave by kayakers, a named from a different era that seems almost comical now. In the days of the 8-foot playboat we used to front surf/flat spin here for hours. Nowadays it’s probably only good for a carve or two before moving on. I have heard this rapid called Bonehead and even, ugh, Upper Superstition in certain circles. This short class II is washed out above 3,000 cfs.

Below the All-Day Wave the river constricts and bends slightly left through a short rapid sometimes called Lower Superstition. I prefer to think of this rapid as the first part of Tombstone, as problems here often lead to problems in Tombstone immediately downstream. At higher water the two drops are intimately connected. A huge crashing wave forms here above 4,000 cfs or so and the undercut formed by the bikepath at high water on the right is a particularly dangerous place for swimmers.

In my opinion, Tombstone (III+/IV) is the crux rapid of the run, and the only one where everyone seems to agree on the name. A tall, sharp rock left of center distinguishes the hardest move. This rock combine with a steep pourover/hole to its right barrs easy passage. At low water rafts generals go right of the hole and cut back left to miss a pesky pinspot. Kayakers, on the other hand, usually take a whooshing slot between the tombstone and the hole and avoid the pinspot completely. At high water you must wiggle between two very large holes. The pointed rock starts to go under at about 6,000 cfs.

After Tombstone the river calms in a large pool sometimes called Cottonmouth Alley by raft guides. At highwater the river remains fast through here. The last rapid, Maneater (III/IV) has a reputation as the run’s hardest, but in truth it's straightforward. This reputation comes from the fact that some of the biggest waves of the run are found here. Maneater is straightforward to run, however, and flushy. A flip here should deposit you in calmer water downstream, making this one of the better places to experience carnage. Busting a big wave 2/3rds of the way down keeps the commercial rafters wet and smiling. A large ledge hole far left above 5,000 cfs is probably this rapid's most dangerous hazard. Unfortunately, Maneater was listed as Superstition Rapid in Dave Eckhardt and Gordon Banks 2^nd edition of Colorado Rivers and Creeks.

Below Maneater a half mile of easier water (II-) brings you to the popular Grizzly Creek boatramp.

GRIZZLY CREEK Lower

Put-in	By foot, one mile up
Takeout	Colorado River confluence
Length	1 mile
Difficulty	all flows V (P)

Special Beta: Colorado big water with roadside access!

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

I used to hike up Grizzly and ponder the subtle kayak moves that his little creek would require. The continuous corners and small boofs and drops. Now I know better. I include this run only because people are still curious about it after it inclusion in the second edition of Dave Eckhardt and Gordon Banks’ Colorado Rivers and Creeks. In recent years, be it a surge in recent deadfall or loss in motivation by the local paddling community to keep it clean, this creek has become clogged to the point of worthlessness. The amount of work it would take to bring this creek to a viable standard is immense. Even less encouraging is the knowledge that it even if you put the work in, the creek will almost certainly clog once again.

As it stands now, I give it a full class V rating for the wood and consequences factor. In reality, most of it is continuous class IV but heinous strainers and other hazards seem to warrant the higher grade. When this thing really gets going it is full-on V+ with disastrous consequences. 

ROARING FORK RIVER Slaughterhouse

Put-in	Cemetery Lane
Takeout	Jaffey Park
Length	4.5 miles
Difficulty	< 700 cfs	IV-
	700-1,500 cfs	IV
	1,500 cfs-3,000 cfs	IV+
	> 3,000 cfs	V

Special Beta: Classic class IV

Fun Factor:
Fear Factor:

The Slaughterhouse Run on the Upper Roaring Fork is one of the best runs in Roaring Fork Valley and the entire state. The scenery combined with pleasant class IV whitewater weaving through rounded, glacial boulders make this one of the best stretches for the grade around.

First timers may want to pre-scout the first rapid, Entrance Exam (IV/V-), which comes quick upon putting in. This technical rapid is one of the run’s cruxes and has a long runout. Weave through some entrance boulders to a slot river left. A small two-boat eddy exists on the left at the top of this slot. Move right through this slot to avoid a punchy hole. The river widens and becomes shallow before plunging around a tight corner with some holes at Lower Entrance (III+/IV). The river winds through some high-quality boogie water for the next half-mile (III/IV-).

After an exciting corner, the river mellows briefly and bends to the right. At the end of a brief straight stretch alongside some crusty, shale cliffs on river left, the river turns abruptly left and disappears over a steep horizon line. You have arrived at Slaughterhouse Falls (IV/V-).

Slaughterhouse Falls, often called simply “The Falls,” is usually the psychological crux of the run and is one of the few places where you can really get whooped. Since this is a semi-regular occurrence, the Falls has a certain reputation amongst skill-advancing boaters.

In essence there is three ways to run the Falls: boofing far left, find a plume left of center, or far right at medium/high water. The far left boof is usually only done at low water. As the flow rises an eddy in the landing zone pulls with increasing vigor back towards the falls. Improper landing angle can quickly lead to an unpleasant thrashing in a sticky seam. The center “jet” line is most common between about 600 cfs and 1,300 cfs. Here, a weakness in the ledge offers a safe, albeit thin, ramp between the eddy far left and the sticky hole backed up by rock in the middle. As the flow rises, a far right line opens up. The right line uses a ramp to skirt a wicked hole/rooster tail over a steep double-drop to the eddy below. It looks impossible from upstream but proves surprisingly easy. Don’t over-paddle and go too far right or risk smashing into several ugly concrete blocks dumped along shore here.

Just below the Falls, the river widens and gets shallow. Sometimes detritus from the less-than-successful gets beached here. Maroon Creek enters on the left and the river drops over a short, steep weir with some possible pin spots. It’s not hard but hard to see over. Usually the better lines are fairly far left or right.

Below the weir it’s boogie time. The next few corners boast a series of fun III+/IV- rapids. The sequence directly upstream and beneath a low bridge can be exciting at high water. Gradually, the whitewater tapers off to a calm section as the river bends around the wastewater treatment facility. Some big homes can be seen up on the canyon rim above you.

The whitewater resumes after a big, left bend, and you negotiate a series of swooshing s-curves with big haystacks. After this initial rapid you enter a swift straight stretch. A good eddy and a low-water playspot make an enticing spot to break on river right in this area. Here kayakers can sidesurf, cartwheel, and loop or just rest before launching into the crux of the lower section which is not far below.

The next significant rapid is S-Turn, also called Hell’s Half Mile by some raft companies. In my opinion S-Turn is the technical crux of the entire run, especially at high water. I find it longer and more involved than Entrance Exam and far more sustained than Triple Drop. While there is nothing as singularly dangerous as Slaughterhouse Falls, it is a finesse rapid with a zigzagging line and no real way to sneak the crux moves and plenty of opportunities for punishment. It also has a long, bruising runout. In fact, S-Turn has no distinct beginning or end; it is really just an amplification in the midst of a long, continuous section. The rapids gradually stiffen and draw you into the crux before you realize what is happening. At medium and high water, it reminds me somewhat of Kirschbaum’s on Gore Canyon in terms of length and character.

Below S-Turn the river remains swift and passes through several IV- and IV corners and rapids. Two distinctly treacherous drops back to back, which are troublesome and even named in some circles, followed by big turn and huge eddy river left signal the last major rapid, Triple Drop (IV/IV+).

Triple Drop is technical and difficult to see over. The best line is not always apparent from the eddy above. I scouted it once (river left) at high water when I was alone after a buddy to a gnarly beating in S-Turn and lost his boat. At low to medium levels the line is right of center moving quickly left, hooking in behind a roostertail to avid a series of crunchy holes. One can vaguely guess what might constitute the three parts to Triple Drop. The usual line is a tight, class IV move, and while the consequences of failure are not dire they are…uncomfortable.

Below Triple Drop the river continues to roll with many indistinct III+ to IV- rapids. Gradually the difficulty tapers off. About half a mile above the takeout the river bends right and passes Hawaii Five-O, a shallow surf wave river left backed up by the last taste of IV-ish whitewater. The corner on river left just downstream of the surf wave is particularly deceptive and treacherous at higher flows. Surfs up!

The river mellows to class II/II+ below here. Rafts usually use the boatramp at the upstream end of Jaffey Park. For kayakers, however, it is easier to continue around the corner to a small eddy on the right within sight of the Upper Woody Creek Bridge. There is a good, short trail here directly to the vehicles. 

LINKS
Slaughterhouse Helmet Cam Guide- check out this helmet cam guide for a detailed look at the major rapids of this run from a kayaker's perspective.