| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 5.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 9, 2023 |
This section is mostly swift flat water with the most challenging rapids at the beginning. It's beautiful and flows through private land with swift flat water for the most part, but has some more light class III near the end before the town of Buffalo Creek.
Jul 24, 2026
Floated this section two days ago. Was fun, especially the first half mile or so of class III, IV after the put in at Pine Valley Ranch Park. After the canyon it mellows into a meandering scenic float for most of the duration down to Pine Junction. Be on alert for an angry dickhead of a ranchhand at Swan Hereford Ranch. As I was floating through this large piece of property, he followed me with his truck along the riverbank. I waved at him a couple times and he just kept mean-mugging me. This went on for several minutes until I gave him the bird, to which he laid on his horn and wouldn't let up. This went on for several more minutes. At one point I paddled over to the bank right up under his truck and motioned for him to get out and talk to me, but he wasn't having it; he just kept honking and yelling at me. 'Just keep on going asshole,' he yelled. 'You self-righteous Piece of sht!' The guy was pissed and he knew if I got out on the shore, he had a valid trespassing case, but I was quick not to do that. I know the laws. So anyhow, I kept on going for another 10 minutes or so with him following behind me not letting off the horn until I floated off his property. About an hour later as I was driving home, I called Swan Hereford Ranch and left a not-so-kind message for that assh*le of a rancher. Oh the nerve of us kayakers peacefully floating through someone's slice of paradise they just have to have all to themselves!
Don't ever back down to these types. Just float on by, stay in your boat and fu*k all.
Sep 5, 2022
Paddled at 250 CFS. A little bony in some places but it was totally fine. Starts out with some light II+ or -III stuff and as the little 'canyon' narrows there is what I would call a nice IV section. You can scout it river left on the public trail or portage it there too. After that there are some more light III-ish rapids before it enters private land. From there you must stay in your boat which is easy to do. Its mostly swift water till about half way through the Swan Ranch (the big ranch in that goes from Pine all the way to Buffalo Cr.) Mid way through the Swan Ranch there is a fun drop that you can boat scout. After that be on the look out for a cable across the river at neck level. That last cable (there are three in total) marks the beginning of another light class III section. Not long after that you pass into the town of Buffalo Cr. where you can get permission to take out at Greens Store. Its the Old Stone building next to the Church and they own the river bank there. Its worth stopping in and supporting it. It is one of the last true general stores in Colorado. If you are interested in seeing it here is the link to a video I made of it.