07. Shoshone Power Plant, Exit 123 (I-70) to Grizzly Creek, Exit 121 (I-70)

Shoshone is one of Colorado's premier class III runs that sits deep in the heart of Glenwood canyon. The run is one of the few in Colorado that goes year-round and is host to a new year's day paddle.  between 1,200 and 3,000 CFS Shoshone is great class III to take learning kayakers down as well as some of the best playboating and slice boating in the state. Between 3,000 and 5,000 CFS, the features in the river become noticeably bigger and pushier and above 5,000 CFS the run turns into class IV big water. After the put in, you peel out downstream into a section called entrance exam which is some read and run Class III that you will want to run down the center. The run continues with straightforward read and run until you reach a large wall on river left, marking one of the major rapids called 'the wall'. The next rapid is called Tombstone and is a large, jagged rock in the middle of the river. Boof to the right of the rock to clear the hole. Following tombstone is a long stretch of flatwater that will lead to a horizon line making the final rapid of the run, Superstition. A five minute paddle out to the Grizzly Creek takeout river right. From Glenwood Springs, take I-70 east and set shuttle at the Grizzly Creek exit. Enter back on I-70 East and take the Shoshone exit to put in. If you only have 1 car, it is very easy to walk the shuttle as a bike path follows the river for the entirety of the run. From Dotsero, meet at Grizzly Creek, park shuttle, run East to the Shoshone exit to the putin in less vehicles. From Grizzly Creek you will return to the I-70 Deck eastbound and exit Shoshone. \\*\\* Sept 25 2020 update \*\* This area is in nascent recovery from the Multi-Agency Effort on the Grizzly Creek Fire. Be cognizant of rockfall and avalanche constantly. This area is in fire recovery and slopes will be unstable and made liquid if torrential downpour occurs. Check CDOT before you travel as these exits have been closed and remain closed off/on due to lots of logical reasons. Reaches of the Colorado River: 01\. Hot Sulphur Springs to Hwy 40 bridge (Byers Canyon) (CO, IV) 02\. Gore Canyon (CO, IV-V) 03\. Pumphouse campground to Rancho Del Rio (Pumphouse) (CO, III) 04\. Hanging Lake Exit 125 (I-70) to Shoshone Power Plant Exit 123 (I-70) (Barrel Springs) (CO, IV-V \[V+\]) 05\. Shoshone Power Plant, Exit 123 (I-70) to Grizzly Creek, Exit 121 (I-70) (Shoshone) (CO, III-IV) 06\. Cameo Dam (Big Sur / Lucky 7) (CO, III) 07\. Loma to Westwater (Ruby / Horsethief Canyons) (CO-UT, II) 08\. Westwater to Rose Ranch (Westwater Canyon) (UT, I-IV) 09\. Cisco (Rose Ranch) to Moab (Professor Valley) (UT, I-III) 10\. Moab to Powell Reservoir (Cataract Canyon) (UT, I-IV) 11\. Lees Ferry to Lake Mead (Grand Canyon) (AZ, I-V) 12\. Black Canyon (AZ-NV, I)