Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument

This Yampa River trip, July 13-17, will be at low-water with an average flow on the 13th is right about 1,000 cfs and on the 20th is right about 700.  Rafts are not recommended by the NPS below 1000 cfs (although I hear people run rafts down to about 700). I am considering my Outrage canoe, but could run my little cataraft or even a ducky.  Canoes have run it down to below 400 (from what I have read).

I have run this three times – 18,000 cfs, 7,000 cfs, and 3,500 cfs  The lower the water, the easier (much much easier) the trip.  The largest rapid (Warm Springs, IV) can be portaged if necessary.  The rest of the Yampa should be busy rock dodging with a difficulty rating between II+ and III.  Once we hit the Green it should be wave trains.  Historical flows on the Green in mid July are about 5,500.  I remember Moonshine Rapid (the first rapid) being the most difficult through Split Mountain, after that, big wave trains.

I don’t know off hand what the limits to group size are, but I would also like to keep this trip below 20.  Please let me know if you would have room for passengers, there are some people who would like to go who do not have the boat or experience to run this river.

Let me know 1) if you are interested, 2) how many, 3) what kind of boat(s) you would have.  I won’t start serious planning until April – I am traveling for the next four weeks straight (ugh).  So let me know before the end of March, please.  My email is Lynnecarpenter@gmail.com.