| Rafting the Upper Arkansas River |
| Articles - BV Outdoors |
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 conversation, a new joke. Each day brings new sightings of wildlife and changes in the flora. The light in the canyons changes with the weather, producing spectacular views. Rafting is truly one of the perfect sports. It seamlessly blends moments of extreme fun and excitement with moments of quiet solitude in stunningly beautiful areas of wilderness. It is not so difficult or dangerous that you need expertise to participate, and so it lends itself to a diversity of ages and backgrounds. It can, however, be plenty extreme and unpredictable. This ain’t no Disneyland ride with tracks under the boat.  Our playground, the Arkansas River, brings joy and necessary water to all of the inhabitants along its 1450 miles starting from above Leadville, Colorado all the way to its union with the Mississippi River in Napolean, Arkansas. Its waters feed thirsty front-range cities in Colorado, bring green to farmers' fields across the plains, provide a way for goods to be  transported by barge and, way up here near its headwaters, brings life to boulder strewn canyons and gorges that teem with boaters when the water rises in the spring.Each section of raftable runs on the upper Arkansas brings wonderful diversity in geology, environment, and difficulty of rapids. Here is a very brief overview of some of the different runs you might try:  Way up north. Starting in the high alpine environment around the city of Granite, the Arkansas cuts through a canyon surrounded with Ponderosa Pines, scree fields and white-tailed deer. Granite Gorge, Pine Creek, and the Numbers, provide wonderful runs for those seeking class III all the way up to class V rapids. A class II/III section of river called the Narrows brings you into Buena Vista as you lose elevation and see more Cottonwoods and willows. A mile-long stretch through Buena Vista contains the new whitewater park where you will see kayakers playing in the hydraulics from April through November. Below Johnson’s Village, Brown’s Canyon provides a beautiful wilderness experience for 9 miles of perfect class III pool drop rapids. This section of river is wildly popular due to its exciting yet safe rapids, the lack of roads and towns, and its stunning natural beauty. If you’ve never rafted before in this area, this would be a great start. South and East of Salida you have a long stretch of river with a quiet disposition. A few class III rapids are sprinkled throughout this section, but birders and fishermen will really love the quiet, meandering nature of this section. One can finish up the upper Arkansas with another wonderful section of class III pool drop rapids called Bighorn Sheep Canyon, and then head into the Royal Gorge for an amazing class IV experience in 1000 feet of sheer canyon. So, what sections of river should I run? The answer will always depend on a few things. Is the water level high or low? What is my experience level? Am I seeking big whitewater or the perfect fishing hole? Am I taking my whole family or just the few adventurous ones? Do I want an hour long experience or a multiple-day overnight trip? Which company should I use? Many rafting companies take trips down the Arkansas River. When in Buena Vista, ask a local which company they would recommend. What should I bring? The company you choose should provide you with a comprehensive list of gear you will need. Generally speaking, you need a swimsuit, river shoes or sandals that will stay on your feet (even if you are swimming in the river), sunscreen, sunglasses with croakies, and a water bottle. The rafting companies should provide a life jacket, a helmet (if necessary), and gear to keep you warm while on the river (like a wetsuit and splash jacket. Make sure you have a towel and dry clothing to put on when you finish. Your age or experience level doesn’t matter. The Arkansas River has a section of river for everyone. If you enjoy true outdoor experiences with a twist of adventure in a spectacular setting, you may want to give rafting a try. I don’t think you will regret it. See you on the river. |
by: John Abdelnour photos by J.A. and Alex Telthorst