CO Rafting

[brannen]

i just got a job rafting clear creek in idaho springs area CO. what should i expect, hows the water? i havent rafted in years, and am planning on trying some kayaking in my free time, if any...
is this a good place to learn? is it too weak?
thanks for the input, if any

[Yonder_River]

Hmm, even though you think Denver sucks, I'll help you out.

First off, how the hell do you get a job bumpin rubber and have no clue as to what the water will be like that your guiding?

With that said, you'll be guiding on the Dumont to Idaho Springs section which is a fun class IV run when the water is at least 400 or higher. They also run the Upper section of the canyon which starts at Kermit's roadhouse and is around the class IV range. Both are much funner when the water is medium or higher, but trust me CC Rafting will milk as much as they can and run trips when it's only 150cfs so you'll be scraping bottom all day.

In terms of kayaking, if you haven't been out in awhile, you could do the stretch btw Idaho Springs and Kermits which is class II/III. Most sections are definitely not too weak. The canyon itself has 14 miles of solid IV and V and swimming at medium to high flows can be scary at the best, deadly at the worst. Have fun.

[Mybad!]

Rigamortis.

There is a popular hole up there to play in, can't remeber the name right now, that a lot of people head to when flows are up.

Don't die.

[Yonder_River]

Ooh, thinking about Rigor makes my heart beat faster.

The hole your thinking of is up near Lawson. The two miles in between Lawson and Dumont is a blast above 600cfs. Some good play there.

[brannen]

Yeah, i should probably learn to roll or whatever in a pool. Im sure some of the peeps i work with can show me the ropes. And as for being hired, they hire a few rookies each season. I got a buddy who worked there the last few years and told me to go ahead and apply.
Time to go to the dog park....

[powderfarmer]

you will be guiding the podunk class 2-3 shit in town for while. but its all good, you can double and tripple dip and make some bank. by the end of the summer when its coming down you might get up to the dumont section. I have guided the upper canyon, and double knife at higher flows can get pretty fun, lots of mistakes to be made. Some companies are starting to guide the black rocks section. I have been guiding for 4 years and still don't think I want to guide that section with custy's on board.

[brannen]

yeah, i knew id be starting weak, but the guy who hired me said that most rookies graduate the beginner stuff after a month or two and get some higher trips as reward. i still have no idea what im getting paid. that and my lease ends here the 1st, and my buddies im living with up there dont get back in town until the 3rd. at least 2 days in limbo, vegabonding