Take Out

This take-out site on Willow Creek in Routt County, Colorado provides access to a medium-sized river system that drains a substantial 1,071 square mile watershed. With an average gradient of 11 feet per mile and an average flow of around 60 cubic feet per second, Willow Creek offers whitewater conditions suitable for paddlers seeking moderate to challenging river running. The creek descends 754 feet over its 68-mile length, creating variable water conditions that change seasonally with runoff patterns typical of the Colorado high country.

As a take-out point, this location serves boaters completing a paddle trip down Willow Creek. The site's utility depends on its accessibility and proximity to put-in locations upstream. Paddlers should be aware that the average velocity of 1.3 feet per second, combined with the creek's gradient and Stream Order 5 classification, indicates moderate current and potential for Class II-III whitewater sections. Water conditions can vary significantly between seasons, with higher flows and faster currents during spring snowmelt and lower, potentially more technical conditions in late summer and fall.

Paddlers using this take-out should verify current water conditions and flow rates before attempting any trip, as Willow Creek's characteristics make it suitable primarily for intermediate to advanced boaters. The distance to the river mouth (215 miles from this location) suggests this is an upper-middle section of the creek system.