Boulder Creek, South,

03. Gross Mountain Res to Eldorado State Park (Lower South Boulder Creek)

Moist Slot Drop #1

Moist Slot Drop #1
Photo of Moist Slot Drop Springtime by Craig Irwin taken 06/15/98 @ 350

River Description

South Boulder Creek (the lower run) from Gross Dam to Eldorado Canyon State Park. This run exemplifies backyard Boulder wilderness creekin' - Class III/IV (V+)
The Lower South Boulder Creek, with three Class V+ exceptions, is a kayaking gem with remoteness and ample challenge. Shallow, cold and fast.

Put in is 1/4 mile below Gross Dam. From the vehicle bridge that crosses the creek, park river-left, uphill in the turnout of the turn. Any other river access could invite the trouble from the freddies at Denver Water Board, so stick to the foot trail than runs from the turnout down to the creek. 2001 fires in Walker Ranch and adjacent gulches will be providing lots of wood for your paddling challenge on this run. Launch from the mossy banks of this alpine setting and you are right away into the cold and remote feel of South Boulder Creek, Gross Reservoir to Eldorado Canyon State Park.

Ramble downstream, under a footbridge, river hooks left, eddy out left for: * Mile 0.9, Moist Slot, Drop One, Class V, the first of the three big drops on this run. Eddy/scout/portage river-left. This narrow slot on river right is preceded by a few seam holes that make setup challenging. Enter the Slot close to right wall, paddle through the slot angled slightly left. The drop is about six feet on a sloping flake with a stopper hole to stuff you. More rambling creekin' with occasional playwaves. Keep eyes peeled for mountain lions and bears on this run- this is some of their last undisturbed habitat in the front range of Colorado. Boogie-boating for about a mile until The Brain. A channelized staight-away section of the river with picnic tables on river-left indicates that you are nearing The Brain, or Hole in the Wall rapid. * Mile 1.7 - The Brain / Hole in the Wall, Drop Two, Class V+. Eddy/scout/portage river-left. This rapid looks very nasty, and has many ledges to stuff a boater in. When run correctly, after negotiating the setup, a good landing puts you against the rock in the bottom. For those who portage- consider a seal launch from large boulder just after crux ... more boogie boating for about a mile, until a flat pool is reached after the river bends left. * Mile 3.0 Bridge Falls / Martin Gulch Falls, Drop Three, Class V+. eddy/scout/portage river-right. Recent changes in this waterfall's geology warrant scouting. Bridge Falls is filled with wood, undercuts and fast, shallow landings followed by a stomper hole. After Bridge Falls, you will pass under a footbridge and enter a beautiful Class IV cascade into more canyon, then emerge into an eerie calm setting, a forebay. *Mile 4.2, Forebay and the Dam Drop - Class Wheeee! Eddy/scout/portage river-left the run is right - five feet away from the righthand wall in the righthand chute. Dam Drop is about 30+ feet and on a slight angle just off vertical. After the dam drop, over half the water in the river is stolen to the thirsty pipes of Lakewood and Denver. Prepare for about 1.3 miles of boneyard shallows (90 to 120cfs). Attempting the run with less than a 125cfs on the lower gauge (Eldorado Canyon, 1*7*) is not recommended. *Mile 6.5, Take-out river-left in picnic grounds, free food for kayakers! ( if the birthday party people aren't looking) or *Mile 6.7, Take-out river-right upstream of the green vehicle bridge Below this bridge leads into Class V+ Eldorado Canyon and Harmon Falls. Shuttle is about 50 minutes one way - dusty and rough gravel roads.

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.

The various reaches of Boulder Creek,
Jasper Creek (Class V+/VI),
The Source (Class V),
Upper Boulder Canyon (Class V/V+),
Lower Boulder Canyon (Class IV),
Boulder Town Run (Class II/III),
North Fork Boulder (Class V+/VI),
Alto-Alto (Class IV),
Upper South Boulder (Class V+/VI),
Lower South Boulder (Class IV/V+/VI),
Eldorado Canyon (Class V+).