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Kayaking Information Page 2 of2 E<~si' Fork The East Fork of the San Juan is a creek.run that has a split personality. It is predominantly easy III, but one rapid at the top is difficult and has a portage in it. Because of trees across the crux of this rapid, missing the small portage eddy is not an option. But this rapid is short. Thus expert boaters who want adventure are going 10 enjoy ii, but their thrills will be short lived. Intermediates not desiring a do-or-die situation will want to put in Lower, and then the length of the run is decreased to the point of diminishing returns. One option is to create a longer run by boating down to the confluence with the West Fork and continuing on the main San Juan. If a party alms for slartlng at Ihe top, they will find Ihe crux rapid 2.5 miles up from the East Fork Campground. The bank on the far side of the creek will be an eroded, multi-c'olored wall. Gel out of the car and scout. This is a very geologically unstable zone. Actively moving earth has pinched the canyon here and has also dropped a couple of trees making this drop a V; without them it would be a good IV In about 200 yards, the creek mellows considerably. but what follows is a fun and pretty float to the campground. If you continue past the campground, be alert for wooq and expect a slight increase in difficulty before the confluence After this you're on your own, because we ain't boated it. I hear there's some okay surfing at high water somewhere above pagosa Springs. You'll haVE! to scout your own take-Qut for this lower section. Thanks to eRG for contributing this fun. Hermosa begins west of the Purgatory Ski Area, flowing southeast to the Animas River. Gorgeous run with tall spruce and aspen forests lining the river banks Plenty of wood to beware of on this run, however, the lower 6.5 miles of Hermosa Creek has far fewer trees to act as potential hazards. Getting to the Hermosa Creek put-in requires half driving and half hiking. The driving half is uphill, while the hiking half (approximately 3.5 mjles) is downhill. The reward for the effort is a beautiful and exciting Class IV whitewater run. A diversion dam just above the take-out at the bridge across the creek on US Highway 550 requires a portage. rvh:';.-J. Can,\'OII Mesa Canyon on the San Juan River is an easy beginner run consisting of mostly mellow class II -111- whitewater. The run begins with some technical rocky sections that could cause the beginner to second guess this run. However, this is probably the most diffictult section. Shortly downstream things mellow out. What remains are some fun, easy wave trains and 1-2 foot drops created by man-made damns. Follow the tongue through and you should be ok. This scenic stretch of river offers both mountain and dessert like terrain. Pi(~.(,~r.;;~ The Piedra is a beautiful remote wilderness run through two main canyons the Upper and Lower canyons. The Upper Canyon starts out mellow and passes under a huge rock ovemang with water running over. Plenty mellow water, too much I'd say. Then comes a few minor rapids, then onto two pushy rapids. The first rapid is a long (lnd steep section. The second is a short and steep $-turn with a big hole nver left. The Lower Canyon has three notable rapids. The first is steep cascade with a pour over river right and a fast tongue through a hole to a rock river left. Next is the First Mudslide rapid that has two boulders that you should avoid. Then comes Second Mudslide Drop. The river constricts and pours head on into a huge boulder in the center of the river followed by a technical section with a river wide strainer. Consider portaging the top of half of Second Mudslide, ferry across to river left and run the technical boulder section to avoid the river wide strainer river right. Both Mudslide rapids can be scouted from river right The piedra usually flows early in the spring and the wlOdow is short. Usually peaking during the second half of May P.i.,W,P'J~\.' 0.\ Ji~Jl.gQ The Durango play park is located in the town of Durango and starts at the Santa Rita Park and goes to just behind Four Corners River Sprorts ThiS park consists of multiply holes and waves that change with water flows. The canoists above are at the top of the run. Just below this wave is the Smelter Wave/hole which was changed and seems to be not as good as it used to be, The third wave/hole is Corner Pocket. Corner Pocket gets really good at 2,200cfs and up. The fiow in these pictures is around 1 ,800cfs. depending on water levels. The Animas River has a good size drainage and can flow as high as 7,000 cIs. U Pp-I)( /\(1 inY~.:;: Twenty four miles of continuous class IV whitewater in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. This run has a definite wilderness character but the railroad runs up the valley providing convenient access for those who get in over their heads or for bringing in overnight gear and beverages. The run starts in the old mining town of Silverton and then gradually builds as you head downstream. You'll find long rollercoaster rides of wave trains with many holes to avoid, Most of the rapids are straightforward class IV and free of obvious hazards. Due to the continuous nature of the run and challenge of rescue along with the very cold watertemperature, swims can be serious. Keep your eyes open for three major rapids. Garfield Slide, No Name Falls, and Broken Bridge, all can be scouted from river right and the railroad tracks provides a convenient portage. After Broken Bridge you have several more miles of excellent and continuous whitewater. Once you reach the Tacoma Power plant and the railroad trestle overhead you have three basic options: Paddle the Rockwood Box, a stout, two mile stretch of ctlallenging whitewater, take the train out, or hike out along the tracks Creek If you're heading to Durango or other southwest rivers via Wolf Creek Pass, it is worth checking out little known Wolf Creek on the west-side of the divide. Heading west near the bottom of the pass, a sweeping, right-hand hairpin crosses the culverted Wolk Creek. Keep your eyes open because it's easy to miss. If you pass the Treasure Falls turnout you will have gone about a mile too far A large pullout below the hairpin is your staging area. Scramble down the steep embankment and have a look at the falls immediately below the culvert. This sloping 15.footer has a short landing pool, so setting up safety is a good idea. Hike back up, cross the highway and put-in jusl upstream of the culvert. The "tunnel of love" is a dark 100-feet that ends with the falls. It's a rush! Wood usually prohibits paddling the bony drops down about 100 yards to the next failS, so hike on the left, A perfect 20-foot spout awaits. Multiple runs on this stretches downstream, but it's mighty woody Hike out the steep embankment on the river-left and head for you next southwest adventure. Thanks to CRC for contributing this run Add RIver http://www.eddyflower.com/RegionDetail.aspx?Regionld= 1 2/13/2007