Put In

Left Hand Creek is a significant whitewater stream in Boulder County, Colorado, originating in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains. This put-in provides access to a stream classified as a large river by hydrological standards, with considerable elevation change and gradient. The creek drops 5765 feet over its 33.87-mile length, resulting in an average gradient of 170.2 feet per mile, which indicates continuous whitewater conditions suitable for experienced paddlers.

The stream's average flow rate of 19.15 cubic feet per second and average velocity of 1.61 feet per second suggest active current conditions throughout most sections. Water levels and difficulty can vary seasonally, with typical spring runoff from snowmelt in the higher elevations. Given the stream's steep gradient and consistent flow, paddlers should expect technical whitewater with potential obstacles and challenging hydraulics.

This put-in location serves as access to one of Colorado's whitewater resources within the Front Range area. Boaters planning to use this access should be prepared for whitewater paddling and aware that conditions can change rapidly based on seasonal runoff and recent precipitation in the watershed.