Little Colorado, |
|
| Usual Difficulty | I-IV (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 55 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 23 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 80 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMERON, AZ | ||||
| usgs-09402000 | 200 - 10000 cfs | I-IV | 01h00m | 0 cfs (rc= -1.0 ) |
Below Cameron, the Little Colorado River flows towards the Grand Canyon through an impressively deep and narrow canyon of its own. The distance from Cameron to the confluence with the main Colorado is approximately 55 miles, so boaters must expect to take several days. The steepest 3 miles are reported to be class 4+ in difficulty. Class 3 and some 4- rapids may be encountered throughout the rest of the canyon.
All but the last 3 miles of this section are within the Navajo Tribal Reservation. The last 3 miles are within Grand Canyon National Park.
Take out: Since flows in the Little Colorado are unpredictable, but permits for the Grand Canyon must be obtained far in advance, it is highly unlikely that boaters can coordinate a trip down the Little Colorado with a trip through the Grand Canyon. So, boaters are faced with the dillemma of climbing out of the canyon at the end of their trip. There are dirt roads along the rim in several areas and probably trails leading out of the canyon to those roads in some spots. It is unclear what take out strategies have been used by boaters doing this section.
Elevations and gradient:
Cameron 4120 feet.
Confluence with main Colorado, 2720 feet.
Total drop is 1400 feet over 55 miles, creating an average gradient of about 25 feet per mile.
Much of the early distance appears to be very flat. In the heart of the canyon there are
sections of 30 to 40 feet per mile and one mile appears to drop about 80 feet.
Permits are required from the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department for all
trips on the Little Colorado River. As of 2009, the backcountry permit fee is $5 per person,
plus $5 per person per night camping fee.
Cameron Visitor Center is located near the put in.
P.O. Box 459
Cameron, AZ 86020
tel : 928.679.2303
fax:928.679.2017
email: lcr@navajonationparks.org
Permits are also required from Grand Canyon
National Park, if you plan on boating the final 3 miles to the confluence with the main
Colorado. Contact:
Creative arraignments may be possible.
Other Information Sources:
Little Colorado River Tribal
Park
Video from helicopter showing
Cocconino Platuea and small portion of Little Colorado Gorge.
Through
the Little Colorado River Gorge, sun and shadows helicopter video.
QUICKSAND
AND BLUE SPRINGS Exploring the Little Colorado River Gorge - Book about
hiking.
Paddling Arizona at www.funhogpress.com
The USGS also provides flow information for the Little Colorado above Mouth near Desert View.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMERON, AZ | ||||||||||||||||
| usgs-09402000 | 200 - 10000 cfs | I-IV | 01h00m | 0 cfs (rc= -1.0 ) | ||||||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Colorado [AZ] |
Little Colorado (lower run)
|
n/a | boof or die | |
| 245d19h43m | Little Colorado [AZ] |
Little Colorado near mouth
|
825 cfs | Paul Martzen |
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Little Colorado 2 - Cameron to Colorado River (mobile)
User Comments
comes into play with heavy boats and the whole deal with your skill level: If you're a Class V
boater than maybe there are a decent amount of Class III+ boulder gardens, but if you're a Class IV
boater they might be pushing Class IV-. Just wanted to say that this isn't all flat water with a
three mile Class IV+ section, but there isn't any Class V either. Edit
done the run) and eliminating the hyperbole. Any additional information would be appreciated. Looks
like somebody copied the previous description straight from the Southwest Paddlers website which
appears to be canoe oriented. http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/coloradoaz12.html
V. According to reliable sources, it's about 3 miles of good class IV+, and the rest is painfully
flat. Beautiful, but the 12 hour hike out was not worth it. Paddling AZ calls it class IV, and
unlike the one here, the description in Tyler's book is trustworthy. Edit
permit from the Navajo tribe. Edit