Boulder Creek, South, CO

2. Pinecliffe to Gross Mountain Reservoir (USB)

Class V+

2.6 Miles

Avg Gradient 229 fpm

Max Gradient 320 fpm

Pinecliffe view downstream

Pinecliffe view downstream
Photo of From HWY 72 bridge in Pinecliffe by Craig Irwin taken 5/09/2005 @ 170

River Description

Craig Irwin 2001-10-10 10:53:36
The Upper South Boulder, an unforgiving, beautiful section of in-your-face class V. The USB has an uncharacteristic section of water at put-in, with a concrete channel piping you straight into the first snaking class V rapid, Trainspotting. There is a 20 foot long steel ibeam pointing upriver in the middle drop of Trainspotting, welcome to USB. The run gets remote quickly, and the water runs directly into a wall on river left at the Gash. Within one mile you have already run two class V rapids with dire consequence. Keep your eyes open on this run, the Puma calls this turf home. The run has few eddies and some must make moves, not a run for anyone less than a seasoned Class V Colorado boater. Take out is a long haul across Gross Reservoir. Expect a busy day on the river, and don't be surprised if somebody looses some gear on this run.

To Get There: The put-in is at Pinecliffe on Highway 72(Coal Creek Canyon). To get to the takeout take Hwy 72 from the metro area, at Crescent Village turn right. Take 77S Road down to the reservoir, and then follow signs to the "Inlet Parking".

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+).

StreamTeam Status: verified

Last Updated: 2006-05-28 22:21:51

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 13

Upper South Boulder Creek

Upper South Boulder Creek Upper South Boulder Creek CO
(23.79KB .jpeg)

Looking down upon Trainspotting Rapid

Looking down upon Trainspotting Rapid South Boulder Creek (upper) CO
(59.26KB .jpeg)

Mature Fir hazard in Upper South Boulder

Mature Fir hazard in Upper South Boulder Upper South Boulder CO
(140.57KB .jpeg)

Trainspotting at 170cfs

Trainspotting at 170cfs Upper South Boulder Creek CO
(118.79KB .jpeg)

Wall View of the Gash

Wall View of the Gash Upper South Boulder Creek CO
(406.53KB .jpeg)

Upper Gash Entrance

Upper Gash Entrance Upper South Boulder Creek CO
(131.37KB .jpeg)

200 feet above Trainspotting

200 feet above Trainspotting Upper South Boulder Creek CO
(116.31KB .jpeg)

Trainspotting Entrance from above

Trainspotting Entrance from above Upper South Boulder Creek CO
(104.66KB .jpeg)

Pinecliffe view downstream

Pinecliffe view downstream Upper South Boulder Creek CO
(96.77KB .jpeg)

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