Rio Grande River from Colorado into NM

This Class II+ combination of the Lasauses (19 miles) and Ute Mountain (25 miles) sections of the Rio Grande begins in the afternoon, with easy water, a quick camp and a likely hike in the Brownie Hills or Fairy Hills; then it goes thru 6 miles of low canyon after crossing highway 142 where it enters a 2 day heavy wildlife run with 22 class II rapids.  The 2^nd section is not boatable until June due to governmental protection of young animal and bird life.  A side hike to lava formations and cultural (early Hispanic and Indian settlement) sites is planned.  The takeout involves a quarter mile 230’ climb up a primitive trail, so VERY light canoes or packable inflatables are required, along with extremely light loads.  We want at least 250cfs at the put-in.  But because the San Luis Valley farmers sometimes claim most of the water from the Rio Grande, a backup plan for doing three day trips of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison, San Juan near Pagosa (camp there 2 nights) and Conejos or Rio Grande near Wagon Wheel Gap will be developed to insure that we boat some interesting new territory.  Limit 10 paddlers for the Rio Grande (smaller camp sites) or 15 on the backup trio due to logistics.

This is an ACA-sanctioned event, so current ACA membership or a $5 per person ACA fee is required.

Contact Karen Amundson (canoekarena@msn.com) if you are interested in this trip!