South Platte, North Fork
02. Pine Valley Ranch to Buffalo Creek
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 5.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 9, 2023 |
River Description
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.
River Features
Pine Valley Ranch Park Put-in
Saint Elizabeth Catholic Mission Take-Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPaddled 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.