River Beta

Animas Town Run

Luke Hanson, Smelter Rapid photo by Drew Beezley

A stunning, free-flowing river that tumbles its way through Durango, Colorado before heading into New Mexico and merging with the San Juan. Just south of Durango the Animas has been designated Gold Medal status by the state of Colorado.

The season on the Animas River is longer than that of most Colorado streams. Heavy run-off from snowmelt and summer rains usually continues until mid-June. The Animas may remain navigable into late August or early September, depending upon weather conditions.

The Town Run has everything from moving flatwater to easy class II and III rapids, to world class playspots like Smelter, Corner Pocket, Clock Tower Hole, Santa Rita Hole, Sawmill Waves, and Big Kahuna. Through the town run great surfing abounds during high water. A permanent Slalom Course is situated at Santa Rita Park through Smelter Rapid. Here, the Durango Whitewater Club has trained several US Kayak Team members. Several put-in and take out options exist, along with a couple of park-and-play spots.

Below are the highlights:

• 32nd St. put-in
• 9th St. put-in/take-out
• Santa Rita Park put-in/take-out/park-n-play
• 4 Corners Riversports take-out/park-n-play
• High Bridge take-out

Upper Animas

For advanced to expert level paddlers the Upper Animas River between Silverton and the bottom of Upper Rockwood Box is a Class IV to V paradise of stunning beauty and whitewater excitement. The run is long - 24.2 miles if taking out at the Tacoma power plant, or 26.8 miles if running through the Upper Rockwood Box - but the gradient is steep and the flow is fast.

Dana Kopf, No Name Rapid

Access is reasonably easy and the shuttle distance is almost equal to the downriver distance because US Highway 550 parallels the river along this section. Also shadowing the run is the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge railroad line, an alternative to self-shuttling.

The Upper Animas begins at 9300' in the town of Silverton. Weather can be chilly, and the water is always frigid. Be prepared with extra supplies and emergency gear such as a breakdown paddle, extra clothes and food. Wetsuits and paddle jackets are a minimum, drysuits and tops are a better option, and kayakers and open boaters should wear hand protection and skull caps (even if it feels too warm at the put-it. Trust us!) Rafters should take a complete repair kit. Please be aware that the Durango/Silverton Railroad is not a means of emergency access.

Water levels are considered Low: 800-1500 cfs, Medium: 1500-2500 cfs. High: 2500-5000 cfs. 5000 cfs and higher is considered by local outfitters as the limit of rafting safety. All flows given are as measured in Durango.

Put-in just south of Silverton the dirt road on the left off Hwy 550 just after crossing Mineral Creek.

Upper Animas, photo by Drew Beezley

Watch for a very low bridge with R/R debris soon after launching. At low to medium water kayaks can pass on far right, rafts may need to portage or risk a tear. There are good warm up rapids for next two miles. If you have any trouble here, now is the time to bail. Hike back to your car via the tracks. The rapids slowly get more difficult as you descend. A tricky drop with a large boulder on the right signals caution as 'Snowshed' (Class IV) is only 50 yards downstream. Look for a concrete wall on river left. Scout left. 'Snowshed' can be run right but must be punched with authority. Left is a tricker entrance but less consequential. After a short run out the river calms. Pass under the Elk Park footbridge.

'Ten Mile Slide' A short steep drop marks the end of Elk Park. Here scout right at a pool on the edge of a marshy area. Look for a sharp right hand turn as the river hits a small vertical wall. Kayakers may choose to round the corner to the edge of 'Ten Mile' rapid. Mt Garfield dominates the skyline to the left. Snowden peak is to the right and high above the canyon rim. 'Ten Mile' is one of the big 3 on the Upper and should be scouted by all unfamiliar with the run. Run left to right to center at the top and center left to center right through the bottom. Watch for an anvil shaped rock two thirds through the top section; its sticky and sharp! Keep on top of things for the next quarter mile. The gradient eases for a mile but, is still continuous class III+.

'No Name' This rapid is the crux of the Upper Animas above Tacoma. It is tough to spot the proper scout landing if you are unfamiliar with the run. Approx. 3 miles below Ten Mile, as you go through a slight left bend, watch for a group of large logs deposited on an island above the rapid (most of the current- 90%- is going right of the island). Stop on the left when you see these and scout. Good trees are ready for a boat tie-up. A good trail is found in the brush and brings you directly to the bottom of the drop. There is an obvious left hand route in the meat of the rapid, but the entrance to it can be tricky with several exposed rocks (depending on levels) making it tough to line up. There is continuous III+/IV whitewater for two more miles below No Name, so don't relax.

Rockwood Box, photo by Drew Beezley

'Broken Bridge' Rapid is obvious for it's namesake. Watch for a broken metal bridge spanning the river. Rafts will need to find a good scout well above the bridge, while kayakers can grab the river right eddy just after the bridge. This is another long rapid characterized by large, crashing waves at the top and a nearly river wide hole at the bottom. The best line is often center left through the top waves with a far left sneak of the bottom hole. As usual, the class III+ continues for several miles below this drop.

The above describes only a few of the highlights of the run and should not be taken as an exact guide to running the rapids. There are miles and miles of whitewater on the Upper, too many to outline, and solid boating skills with prudent scouting are a must. Always stay alert when running the Upper.

The Tacoma power plant on river right marks the end of the run for most. A ride out of the gorge can be arranged with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad- 888-872-4607 or 970-247-2733. They can accomodate kayakers, rafts and gear. Hiking out along the railroad tracks would be a 3 mile trip and is illegal.

Expert Kayakers, and open boaters can continue downstream through the Lower Gorge to Rockwood. If you had any trouble on the Upper do not attempt the Lower Gorge. It is the hardest, most dangerous section of the Upper Animas, and comes at the end of a long, hard day. There have been deaths here. Rescue is difficult and all walls are vertical and undercut. There is little river bank scouting possible in the gorge and boat scouting is mandatory for those unfamiliar with the run or water level. The first and most significant rapid is 'Mandatory Thrash'. An often river wide hole that can cartwheel several boats at once (as witnessed by this author). Lower flows are run far river right against the wall. At high water there's a line center left, but paddle like hell and tuck through the breaking diagonal. A scout is possible on river left, several hundred yards above the gorge entrance, with a healthy hike downstream and solid route finding skills. The gorge following stays tight with some spectacular sections. Boat scouting and read-and-run techniques are necessary. When in doubt, this author says "stay left". The last rapid prior to the take-out contains a hole that has caught many unaware. Scouting is possible on the lower drops of the Gorge. Don't miss the take-out as the gorge below is truly unrunnable. Look for the Forest Service take-out sign and exit river right. Hike out on the steep trail to the Rockwood Station where you have left your shuttle.