Roaring Fork, Colorado, US

05. Black Bridge to Veltus Park (Cemetery) (Martha's Front Yahd)

Roaring Fork - Cemetery

Roaring Fork - Cemetery
Photo of Jill Johnson by Tom O'Keefe taken 04/30/96 @ 5780 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

FUN FACT: Quick sweet whitewater fix near town.

LOGISTICS: There are two take-outs in the town of Glenwood Springs.

To reach the smaller take out (best for kayaks): From I-70, head south on CO-82 (Grand Avenue) to 8th St. and proceed west one block north to 7th and continue west several blocks to the bridge across the river, proceed one block to south on Midland Ave. There is a small take-out at Kiwanis Veltus park on left.  (when paddling: take out is on river left upstream from the 7th street bridge).

To reach the larger take out (for larger inflatables):

From I-70, exit to Hwy 6 and 24 west several blocks, take left before tram onto Devereux over I-70 to Two Rivers Park on left.

To reach the put-in, head south out of town on Grand Ave. and as you leave town this becomes Highway 82. Approximately 5 miles out of town take Old Highway 82 down to the river and the County Road 109 Bridge, also known as "Black Bridge."

DESCRIPTION:

Starting out in ranch land and ending in town, although some may say "this is not one of the most scenic runs in the state," they certainly be wrong, if you're in Glenwood Springs it is convenient and a good place to take beginner/intermediates. The rapids are predominately class II+ with the exception of Cemetery approximately 2/3 of the way down the run which is a class III.

During high water there is some good surfing to be found on this run.

See the following for additional runs nearby:
Woody Creek (Class III),
Toothache (Class III),
Slaughterhouse< /a> (Class IV),
Castle Creek (Class IV+),
Fryingpan (Upper) (Class IV+),
Fryingpan (Lower) (Class III+)
Upper Roaring Fork (Class V+).