Roaring Fork, Colorado, US

02. Slaughterhouse (Aspen to Upper Woody Creek Bridge)

Slaughterhouse Falls at 1000 cfs

Slaughterhouse Falls at 1000 cfs
Photo of Sammer Elias by Bryan Houle taken 06/09/02 @ 1000 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

This is one of the juiciest, quality, class 4 runs in the state. It goes on and on, it stays pretty consistent in its difficulty for the full four miles. The general character is technical, channelized 4. You can make it your slalom course, you can create your own more difficult lines, you can pick it apart. In comparison to the Numbers on the Arkansas, its a bit more difficult, a bit more techinical, and much more channelized. Its also a nicely scenic stretch of river.

The first rapid, one of the more difficult, Entrance Exam comes about 100 yards downstream of the put-in. Warm up quickly.

A drop that is out of character with the rest of the run, Slaughterhouse Falls, comes about half a mile below the put-in. Look for a calmer section of river, with a large scree field on the left, and a gently slopping beach/bank on the right. Eddie out at the bank on the right to scout. Slaughterhouse Falls is a river wide 6' ledge. At medium and lower flows the line is center left. Scouting from downstream you will see a spot where the falls form a "crotch", thats your line. Keep your speed up. Going over the falls to far to the right could be nasty. At higher flows check out a far right line over the falls.

Another drop to pay attention for is "Triple Drop", that includes a sticky hole at the bottom of the rapid in the center.

General comments for the whole run: There is potential for lots of play. Also, though there is not much, keep your eye out for unexpected, random wood, especially if your taking more interesting lines.

- Sammer Elias