Cruise - Browns Canyon Run, Arkansas River (Class III)

  • 05/29/2016
  • Arkansas River near Buena Vista, Colorado

Registration

This cruise will be held on the Browns Canyon Run on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista, Colorado. It will take place during Paddlefest. Contact Leslie Fuller for more information.

Description: (From American Whitewater) :

Brown's Canyon is arguably the best Class III run in the state. Brown's is a beautiful little canyon with lots of smooth rounded granite, up on the hills and in the river too. The only sign of civilization is the railroad on river left. Canyon Doors is one of the first rapids and is generally considered the best playspot on the run. At high water, say 3000cfs, you have to surf it on the fly because there is no eddy. The biggest rapid is Zoom Flume, about 1/2 way down the run, it kinda sorta approaches Class IV in difficulty. I ran this at 1200cfs and it still had a bigwater feel with some swirlies to negotiate, I can only imagine that would be much more pronounced at higher water. Even though I ran it on a weekday, it was June, it was very crowded with guided rafts. If you do run this it is highly reccomended to avoid weekends during peak tourist season.

Important CW Cruise Information:
Please remember you are responsible for yourself on the river.  You are also responsible to the group.  Boat within your ability.  Don't take unnecessary risks.  Don't participate in a rescue if you are likely to become another victim.  Cruise Coordinators have the right to deny inclusion on a trip for any reason and they also have the right to request a participant to leave the river for any reason. Conditions change drastically with water level.

Do not show up to a cruise unannounced.  You must contact the cruise leader in advance as trips have participant limits and ability requirements.  If you are not going to make a scheduled event, you MUST let the leader know.  No-shows are inconsiderate.

Cruises and River Weekends are not instructional events.  You should have the skills necessary to safely navigate the section of river to be run. Only current CW members are allowed to participate in CW events.  Please bring your completed liability waiver to give to the leader for each event. Click here to download the waiver.

Some cruises may be above the ability level for some members and varying water levels can have an impact on the difficulty of the run. Please research the water level and run you are interested in doing. You can find some of this information at the River Levels webpage on our website.  Published resources include Colorado Rivers & Creeks 2 and Whitewater of the Southern Rockies.  If you are unsure if your ability matches the run at the predicted flow, discuss your boating resume with the trip leader.

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