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Whitewater timing varies with scouting, portages, and group pace. Use as a planning baseline.
Description
Detailed info in Colorado Creeks and Rivers 2, by Gordon Banks and Dave Eckardt as well as Stafford/McCutchen's Guide to SW Rockies.
This is one of the best, if not the best, wilderness multi-day runs in the lower Rocky Mountains. It's an early season run that requires a healthy snowpack and lucky timing.
Difficult access is guarded by hostile landowners although there is legal way to get in here. You just have to time it luckily. If the FS gate is open, chances are the flows have dropped out. Study Google Maps diligently and look for the multiple ways to access the putin for the run. Look over the route to the putin description in Stafford/McCuthchen's guidebook for beta.
Plan on 2 days and lots of scouting. The run is steep, boulder choked with 3 distinct portages. You can pick apart each portage yet at some point you're going to walk sections. The portages are difficult and the rock in the river bed is relatively new and always changing. Bring a fresh boat because the rock is brutal on old plastic. Expect a broken boat or two, sieves and wood.
The best camping exists river right after Bird Nest, a distinct double drop. Look river right for possible camp spots. You'll most likely have to fashion a place in the woods because it's so rarely run that overgrowth and downfall is everywhere.
As you move downstream you'll arrive in the gorge proper which is spectacular and very unique. It's the deepest part of the canyon approaching 1500ft with rock walls coming straight out of the river all the way to the rim.
This is a fantastic run that will test your group's teamwork and skills. Bring a good 1st aid kit and an extensive boat repair kit. You'll need it :)
Take out at the bridge at Fishtail Road.