Big Thompson, Colorado, US

02. Drake to Canyon Mouth (Big Tommy/Big T)

run like hell

run like hell
Photo of sign by christruction@yahoo.com taken 06 14 03 @ flood

Gauge Information

River Description

The Big Thompson seldom has good flow (>400 cfs) but when this creek is pumping be ready for a great ride. Sometimes people may put in below Idyllwilde Dam, but the more common putin is up near Drake. Just be aware the dam is a killer, a mandatory portage. The run is steepest and most difficult just downstream of the dam.
The Shuttle is simple as this run is all along Highway 34.

John Gross shared:
"1. The rating for the lower section should be III-IV+. This might be a very difficult class 3 run at lower water, but it always has class 4 consequences (it's 110 fpm, after all!). It's got a road-debris riverbed, and even at high water you're going to hit something if you flip. Above 500 or 600 - which we're seeing just about every year - swims are epic and often (usually) boats go more than a mile before they pin or you can get them out. It's not a beginner run at any level.

"2. River description:
For the lower run, a good putin is one mile above Drake - just below the end of the harder drops. Don't go too high. You'll immediately launch into a couple sections of very busy water around islands, followed by a small gorge and then an easier float into and past Drake. The most difficult rapid of the run is immediately below the Idyllwilde Dam, and first-timers will likely be very surprised at the velocity of water in this drop. Beware of a two offset holes just below this long rapid that are sticky at some levels. The culvert at Viestenz Smith Mountain Park has been replaced with a nice bridge, so enjoy the fun water through the park. A blind drop in a gorge below the park may warrant a quick scout; there's a fun left run at most levels, or on either side at higher water. Portage the lower diversion dam, where you may want to end the run if too much water is being removed.

"This run changes dramatically with water level. It's a boat-abusive class 3+ creek run at 300 cfs, and high-speed, action-packed 4+ at 800 with very few exposed rocks. At moderate to high water levels there are few pools and most eddies disappear - a solid roll is highly recommended. At higher levels, scout your take-out eddy at the canyon mouth (just above the lowhead dam) before launching."

For a hairy, trashy run, check out the upstream gnar-gnar section. You'll want to scout a bunch if you run that one.