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Photo
courtesy RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service
[Ridgway, Colorado] — With the coming of each spring, snowmelt from high in the San Juan Mountains brings increased water flows to our local rivers and adventure opportunities for rafters and kayakers alike. Enjoying this magical time of year is a must and there is no better way to experience run-off than by boating down the river!
Although rafting rivers is fun, it is also an activity that requires a high level of experience in order to safely maneuver a boat through any whitewater situation. So before you go, make sure your leader is properly versed and equipped for a variety of whitewater situations. Better yet, take advantage of utilizing local knowledge and certified trained professionals with a local rafting company offering guided trips.
Rating the River
Rating
the difficulty of a rapid is based on a numerical rating system called
“Class.” This systematical rating of a river helps boaters
identify the difficulty of a river section and determine if it is an
appropriate run for there skill level. The Classification system works
on an I–VI system, with class I (flat-water), up to class VI (Niagara
Falls.) When choosing a trip, make sure you aren’t getting in
over your head. For families of first timers, Class I – III is the way
to go. For experienced boaters, class III – IV makes the most
sense. Note: class V ratings are unadvised unless you are a
trained professional and ready for combat swimming!
Popular rafting trips IN SW Colorado
Uncompahgre
River
Lower Gunnison River
Named for the Spanish Jesuits that first explored the area in 1777, Dominguez and Escalante Canyons are rich in history, wildlife, and scenery. The class II Gunnison River gently carves its way through Dominguez canyon creating a wilderness feeling. Cottonwood stands along the river provide nesting habitat for herons and abundant wildlife can be seen along the banks. Native American rock-art, and spectacular desert flora and fauna can be found on numerous side-hikes making for a rich experience on the edge of canyon country; great for both rafts and kayaks.
Gunnison River Gorge
A unique double canyon system of black granite layered with red sandstones, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness is located within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area just downstream from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (nine miles northeast of Montrose). The Gunnison Gorge Wilderness is only the second BLM managed wilderness area in Colorado; it is managed to preserve and protect its wilderness, scenic and recreational values. The ideal way to see the Gunnison Gorge and Black Canyon – from the inside! A true wilderness experience, this 14 mile river section combines incredible wildlife and scenery with class III-IV whitewater through one of the most spectacular canyons in Colorado. .
San Miguel River
The author is the co-owner of RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service. 888-626-4460, www.fishrigs.com
The name, in the ute
language, means hot or "red" water, and at it's source the river runs
red from nearby iron deposits. The waters are clear, though, from the
town of Ridgway to the Ridgway
Reservoir, (Class II to III+ rapids). The Uncompahgre offers a great
introductory rafting
section with wonderful wildlife and scenery opportunities. The majestic
San Juan Mountains fill the back drop for the entire run! A fantastic
run on over 15 miles of remote
access on the lower Uncompahgre River is also available with excellent
water flows maintained throughout the summer. Access on this mostly
private section of river is extremely limited, with no defined take-out
location.
Lower Gunnison River
Named for the Spanish Jesuits that first explored the area in 1777, Dominguez and Escalante Canyons are rich in history, wildlife, and scenery. The class II Gunnison River gently carves its way through Dominguez canyon creating a wilderness feeling. Cottonwood stands along the river provide nesting habitat for herons and abundant wildlife can be seen along the banks. Native American rock-art, and spectacular desert flora and fauna can be found on numerous side-hikes making for a rich experience on the edge of canyon country; great for both rafts and kayaks.
Gunnison River Gorge
A unique double canyon system of black granite layered with red sandstones, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness is located within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area just downstream from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (nine miles northeast of Montrose). The Gunnison Gorge Wilderness is only the second BLM managed wilderness area in Colorado; it is managed to preserve and protect its wilderness, scenic and recreational values. The ideal way to see the Gunnison Gorge and Black Canyon – from the inside! A true wilderness experience, this 14 mile river section combines incredible wildlife and scenery with class III-IV whitewater through one of the most spectacular canyons in Colorado. .
San Miguel River
The San
Miguel drops over 7000' from an alpine ecosystem to the desert.
The river offers the whitewater boater a variety of runs all
within the class III-IV range. The river's consistent gradient and
continuous character provides the boater with an abundance of
whitewater. Due to spring flooding, the river contains numerous
strainers and downed wood which change periodically, though most are
easily spotted. Use caution. The San Miguel should be easily
negotiated by the Intermediate whitewater boater. However, The San
Miguel's class II-III rating can be deceptive. This river is
continuous, shallow, and contains a fair amount of downed wood - the
consequences can be more significant than the rating would suggest.
The author is the co-owner of RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service. 888-626-4460, www.fishrigs.com