UPPER ANIMAS RIVER, ROCKWOOD GORGE

4 Corners Raft in Red Wall Rapid.

Paddling inside the Rockwood Gorge is one of the most incredible places you will ever be. You will be in awe and afraid at the same time. The canyon walls are steep and inescapable. Swimming here would be a bad idea. Even the hike out with a boat is for people who can handle suffering.

This is for hard core, experienced rafters and kayakers only. You must have class V experience and be in superb physical condition. The flow must be just right, and a physical fitness is mandatory. This is an invitation only trip. You must prove your worth on upstream sections and the guides must agree to take you.

This trip is sold as an add-on to any one of our Upper Animas trip that goes to Tacoma. A low-water, stand alone version involving even more hiking with gear is available.

QUICK LOOK

• Rating: class V to V+
• Distance ~3 miles
• Trip Length: ~2 hours
• Season: May thru Jul
• Current Flow: USGS
• Avg. Gradient: 78 ft/mi (14.8 m/km)
• Put-in: Tacoma Station
• Take-out: Rockwood Station

SAMPLE ITINERARY

• 3 PM: You have just finished your full day or two day Upper Animas trip. You are tired, but now is when most of your strength will be needed.
• 3:30 PM: We float under the train bridge and enter class V+ Mandatory Thrashing. No mistakes allowed.
• 4 PM: Just after floating though the most narrow part of the gorge, we enter class V+ Red Wall rapid. Again, don't screw up.
• 4:15 PM: Class V Wall Slammer. Please don't swim!
• 5 PM: Take out two miles above a deadly waterfall and sieve. Do not miss this exit point or death is almost certain (no kidding).
• 5:15 PM: Begin grueling hike with raft up 1.5 miles and 800 vertical feet out of the canyon.
• 6:15 PM: We made it out of the gorge. Hop in the van and return to Durango.
• 7 PM: Optional meet us for dinner in Durango, if you can still walk that is.

MORE INFO

Please visit the main Upper Animas page and look at the other trip options to find out more.

Rafting on the Upper Animas