Gore Creek,
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02. East Vail Exit (I-70) to Eagle River
Class III-IV
9.2 Miles
Avg Gradient 67 fpm
Vail Playspot
Vail PlayspotPhoto by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 5JUN2004 @ 270 cfs
Gauge Information
River Description
This creek runs right through Vail and there's a great little play spot and rodeo site in the
center of town. Access is relatively straightforward as the creek is paralleled by I-70. Watch for
golf balls in upper part.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2009-02-27 11:54:49
Editors
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
800 cfs...It was alot of fun...I remember one class 4 drop with some big holes and push to it. Then
i remember about 3 more pretty big rapids on the run...One being right after the sign that says
kayakers exit here. Good run...Oh ya funny story...we were floating along and some drunk girl
outside a cabin along the run decides to flash us, so you never know :). But the best part wa the
high water (or at least higher than i have seen) dowd shoot run.
filtration plant on Forest Road in West Vail to the Bus Stop takeout on the Eagle River at
Miniturn; about 6-7 miles.
Access and shuttle are both easy and right near the Interstate.
This Creek is shallow, rocky and pretty continous with numerous class IIIish rapids. Above where
Gore enters the Eagle there was one significant drop. It was just a bit steeper continous Colorado
Creek; no notable rapids which presented features unlike the general charecter of the stream.
Pretty much what you see is what you get until the Eagle. There are several pipes, one of which
required getting out of the open boat; kaykas went under.
Dowd Chutes, a rapid which occurs maybe 200 yards downstream of the confluence with the Eagle
River, is a big open wave train with several holes that could spill but not keep you. The Eagle
more than doubled the flow but the river and there also seemed to be more features and possible
play on the Eagle.
If you are a play boater, then you want to put in further upstream to take advantage of the
artificially constructed playhole under the bridge, right in the middle of Vail Village.
300 cfs is locally regarded as low. There was enough water to paddle the creek but I bet at higher
levels it gets considerably more pushy.
Pretty consistant fast flow, no pool/drop, no big drops.
Summary: Intermediate creek right on I-70 with good play spot and one class IV, easily walkable
drop. The hole in town is good enough to just park, play and get out. Chris Kelly