1. Lake Estes to Drake (Big Tommy / Big T)Class II-IV+(V+)
11.5 Miles
Avg Gradient 102 fpm
Max Gradient 266 fpm
Small version #2
Small version #2 Photo of Peter Roth by Brian Adkins taken 09/18/04 @ 340cfs Gauge Information
Big Thompson
1. Lake Estes to Drake II-IV+(V+)
River DescriptionFrom Lake Estes to the handicap access fishing pier (9 miles) is II-IV (you can put in below the dam but beware of the fence just past the first bridge--easy to sneak on river right).The short section of hair is from the fishing pier down about 1/2 mile. Check out Patrick Forsters' article in www.coloradokayaking.com, and a high water BIG Thompson Fall Photo Essay By: Evan J. Stafford. I also have pics of the hair section on Webshots. From the bottom of the hair into drake is 3 miles of fun class IV with the occasional sticky hole. There are 2 super fun IV+ rapids in the middle that are back to back. On July 31, 1976 the Big Thompson watershed experienced a 10,000 year flood event, a 20 foot wall of water moving 60 miles an hour tore down the canyon killing 144 people. NOAA summary of the flood To Get There: Hwy 34 between Estes Park and Loveland runs beside the river. Various put-in and take-out options exist. The best run is from the hair section (obvious from the road) down to Drake. StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2005-12-28 19:04:51
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