Taylor, Colorado, US
|
|
01. Taylor Park Reservoir to Almont
| Usual Difficulty |
II-IV (for normal flows) |
| Length |
18 Miles |
Taylor~2
Taylor~2Photo of Phil Proctor by Josh Wolverton taken 07/29/04 @ ?.??
Gauge Information
River Description
The Taylor is a stunning river; beautiful alpine scenery, a boulder strewn
course through the pines and lots of whitewater at different levels.
The great thing about the Taylor is that you can pick your poison. The top
reasonably boatable section (there are serious access problems above here) begins at Lottus Creek
Campground. The first rapid; Lottus Creek, appears immediately. It is a long class IV boulder
garden. Next comes several miles of rock gardens alternating with more placid sections. Todd's Slot
is the best known drop on the river and is a technical class IV- or IV rapid. It is a bit complex
and has killed so take a look.
Below Todd's slot are miles of beautiful continous class III mountain water to
the takeout by the Bridge right above a resort (can't remember the name).
Below this bridge to Almont the river steadly decreases in gradient until it is a placid class II
stream where it meets the East River at Almont to form the Gunnison.
The top miles below Lottus Creek drop at about 80 fpm with the gradient steadly
decreasing to 20 fpm at Almont.
I have been paddling it for about 15 years. My sense of the river in the
early days was often: "oh damn! If this gets any harder I am screwed!" but it
just never got above that point.
This is a trophy trout stream so it has constant releases all summer to maintain
the fishery. Watch for wood, espicialy given the fast pace of the water. Most of my runs have
involved at least one portage because of lumber in the river.
There are serious access issues because of all the big trout fisherman houses
along the banks but access is certainly possible at several good locations.
The Taylor is a superb Beginner (near Almont), intermediate (below Todd's slot)
and advanced (from Lottus Creek) river and will have water when most everything else is dry.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2009-04-19 12:39:35
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
and lots of whitewater at different levels. <br /><br /><br>
The great thing about the Taylor is that you can pick your poison. The top reasonably boatable
section (there are serious access problems above here) begins at Lottus Creek Campground. The first
rapid; Lottus Creek, appears immediately. It is a long class IV boulder garden. Next comes several
miles of rock gardens alternating with more placid sections. Todd's Slot is the best known drop on
the river and is a technical class IV- or IV rapid. It is a bit complex and has killed so take a
look.<br /><br /><br>
Below Todd's slot are miles of beautiful continous class III mountain water to the takeout by the
Bridge right above a resort (can't remember the name).<br /><br /><br>
Below this bridge to Almont the river steadly decreases in gradient until it is a placid class II
stream where it meets the East River at Almont to form the Gunnison.<br /><br /><br>
The top miles below Lottus Creek drop at about 80 fpm with the gradient steadly decreasing to 20
fpm at Almont.<br /><br /><br>
I have been paddling it for about 15 years. My sense of the river in the early days was often:
"oh damn! If this gets any harder I am screwed!" but it just never got above that
point.<br /><br /><br>
This is a trophy trout stream so it has constant releases all summer to maintain the fishery. Watch
for wood, espicialy given the fast pace of the water. Most of my runs have involved at least one
portage because of lumber in the river.<br /><br /><br>
There are serious access issues because of all the big trout fisherman houses along the banks but
access is certainly possible at several good locations. <br /><br /><br>
The Taylor is a superb Beginner (near Almont), intermediate (below Todd's slot) and advanced (from
Lottus Creek) river and will have water when most everything else is dry. Chris Kelly