It's shaping up to be a big year for whitewater in Colorado. Snow pack is the deepest in about 30 years in the South Platte River (Denver) and Colorado River (West Slope) basins. Although it is mid-June, the mountains remain white and the ski lifts are still running at Arapaho Basin.
June 1st on Independence Pass near Aspen:
When flows reach 20,000 cfs on the Colorado River near Grand Junction, CO the "Big Sur" wave forms. The last time that Big Sur ran for any length of time was in 1995. Some buddies and I visited Big Sur when it started running in early June:
Near Big Sur is Plateau Creek, an easy scenic Class III float:
The "slaughterhouse" section of the Roaring Fork near Aspen:
Preston setting up for Slaugherhouse falls:
The snow melt in the mountains has left verdant meadows. Dry Park, west of Carbondale, CO:
Wildflowers on the Slaughterhouse shuttle:
This last weekend found me on Bailey Canyon on the North Fork of the South Platte River. 615 cfs puts the Class V- Bailey run on the high side of manageable. Our crew of 5 enjoyed five swims and two broken paddles. An exciting day on the river!
Gavin in falls 2 of 4 falls:
Flooded creekin' fun in "the steeps."
No line looks good in Trashcan:
Paul headed to the rodeo in Deer Creek Rapid:
All smiles on the float out:
The season is young. I'm looking forward to many more miles of whitewater fun this summer.
