Arkansas,

03. Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge Launch (The Numbers)

Usual Difficulty	IV (may vary with level)
Avg. Gradient	71 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR NATHROP, CO.
usgs-07091200	300 - 3500 cfs	IV	126d04h35m	cfs

River Description

The Numbers is widely considered just about the best Class IV run in the state of Colorado. At low levels the river channelizes and is fun IV- down to about 300cfs for playboaters. At about 1000cfs the rapids graduate to IV proper, and over 2200cfs they take on a IV+ character. There are 6 major Class IV rapids creatively named number 1 through 6, although most takeout shortly after #5. Rapid #1 is the most technical, but 4 and 5 generally have the most carnage. Above 3000cfs the run takes on a big water character, massive holes abound. At this level a powerfull 8 foot surfing wave forms at the base of rapid 1 and 1/2. There is a lot of private property around the rapids so scouting is most likely illegal, do what you have to do to be safe. As noted above most people take out just after #5 where there are an abundance of unofficial takeouts. If the water level is medium to high I would reccomend that you make the most of a short run and takeout below #6 at the railrod trestle.

To Get There: One alternative for this run is to start out by running the Pine Creek section. The put-in for the Numbers though can be found at Hwy 24 mile 199.9 where a dirt road turns down to the river and Scott's Bridge. Before crossing the bridge turn left headed upstream for about a mile along a road that runs between the river and the railroad tracks. Be prepared to pay a fee for using the launch which is maintained by State Parks. To get to the takout take Hwy 24 south to mile 201.5 and turn off onto County Road 371. Cross the river and bear right headed downstream along river left. At this point you are now directly next to #5 which is on the downstream side of the bridge. Continuing on down the road you will find a couple of alternative public access sites. For the full run, it's 3.3 miles down this road to the Railroad Bridge access which also has a couple of camp sites.

See Colorado Rivers and Creeks II, by Banks and Eckardt (The Bible), for info on this and most of the other kewl runs of Colorado.

Lat/longitude coords are approximate, from TopoZone.

See also Pinecreek (Class IV/V),
The Numbers (Class IV),
Fractions/ Frogrock/ Milkrun (Class III),
Buena Vista (Class III),
Browns Canyon (Class III),
Salida (Class III),
Rincon (Class III),
Pinnacle Rock (Class III),
Royal Gorge (Class III/IV).