Yampa, Colorado, US
|
|
05. 85 Rd to Deer Lodge Park Rd (Cross Mountain Gorge)
| Usual Difficulty |
IV(V) (for normal flows) |
| Avg. Gradient |
59 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
67 fpm |
Cross Mountain Gorge - Snake Pit
Cross Mountain Gorge - Snake PitPhoto of Zach Hensley by Bryan Houle taken 03/21/04 @ 1200 cfs
Gauge Information
River Description
Latitude / Longitude data
very approximate.
"Rioter" said, on Boater Talk, "I've
never been on the water in Cross above about 4500 cfs. It's a solid IV at this level with some
must-make moves. I've also paddled it as low as 300 cfs and it wasn't great (III-), but hey it's
Cross! Just beware that Cross has a short season and when it starts to go it goes. I know some
people that have hit it at high water (Barry Smith claims he has run it at 17,000 if my memory is
correct). For me, I like it best around 2,000-2,500 cfs."
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2011-05-12 18:12:20
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
than Yampa River at Deerlodge Park (the Deerlodge gage includes flow from the Little Snake River
which comes in downstream of Cross Mountain). Edit
flat water.<br>
<br>
Note the following:<br>
1) This run changes a lot with the water level.<br>
2) There is some danger--mostly with undercut rocks and possible sieves at Snake Pit.<br>
3) You probably want to scout the top down to Snake Pit. I think it gets easier after Snake
Pit.<br>
4) This run is class V only at high water. At 2000 cfs, it's class IV. Hitting the lines at Snake
Pit at 2000 cfs are actually pretty easy, but some danger exists.<br>
5) At around 2000 cfs, lots of people come here. You'll always have others to run shuttle on
weekends.<br>
<br>
I'm curious if anyone has died in this section. So many people run it, even in rafts that have real
trouble, that if it were really dangerous, there should be some deaths.<br>
<br>
I've heard there is a "death ferry" in this run, but it wasn't there at 2000 cfs. I'd
like more info.