Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 32) Outdoor Recreation and More Animas River Rafting ©Pierre Tremblay/Masterfile Whitewater Summer Ski it in the winter; float it in the summer. Each spring, rafting enthusiasts eagerly await snow’s transformation into whitewater as it makes a steady course down from the peaks and into the state’s canyons. Raft one of Colorado’s rivers to really dig into the state’s beauty — while testing your own threshold for adventure. Before You Go When should I go? The season runs from May to September, with the heaviest winter run off and whitewater occurring in May and June. Levels of difficulty are dependent upon the amount of water flowing through a given rapid. It is because of this that midsummer flows can be perfect for families and newcomers to the sport. This can also be the key time for a relaxed float or a trip down a river that wasn’t runnable during the high season. Do I need experience? The majority of rafting clients are firsttimers or novices. Many outfitters have age minimums depending on the level of difficulty for the trip. Generally, Class I rapids offer a laid-back experience for the whole family. What should I bring? Outfitters provide a lot of the necessary gear. Still, there are some things to keep in mind. Given its origin as ice or snow, the water coming into the boat is usually pretty cold, even in July. No matter how mellow the run, plan on getting wet. Wear quick-drying clothes. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a good idea along with closed-toed shoes that will stay on and give you grip while paddling through the roughest rapids. Know Arkansas River The Basics: Dropping nearly 5,000 feet in its first 125 miles, the Arkansas is the most popular rafting destination in the country. The river offers everything from frothy rapids that challenge the most seasoned paddlers to mellow, beginner rides. Highlight: Float under the Royal Gorge Bridge, the world’s highest suspension bridge. Animas River The Basics: A trip through Colorado’s past, the Animas provides glimpses of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, abandoned cabins and ancient footbridges set against panoramas of the spectacular, snow-capped 13,000-foot San Juan Mountains. Highlight: The Lower Animas near Durango is fantastic for first-timers, offering a calmer ride with magnificent alpine views. Colorado River The Basics: The world-famous Colorado weaves its way westward, offering unbeatable rapids, camping and wildlife viewing. Cruising through lush forests and gorgeous granite canyons carved tens of thousands of years ago, you’ll spot eagles circling above. Highlight: Not for the faint of heart, Gore Canyon near Kremmling provides churning whitewater with a vertical waterfall. Clear Creek The Basics: A wild ride just 30 minutes west of Denver, Clear Creek is a steep, narrow, technical river nestled in a historic mining valley. Highlight: Clear Creek is a known endurance test, featuring advanced sections and 30 major (and at times, continuous) rapids. MORE ONLINE! For more information on whitewater rafting, log on to either www.colorado.com or the Colorado River Outfitters Association’s website at www.croa.org. 32 1-800-Colorado | www.colorado.com http://www.colorado.com http://www.croa.org http://www.colorado.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.