Crystal
06. Avalanche Creek to B.R.B. Campground(Avalanche to BRB)
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 5.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 58 fpm |
| Gauge | Crystal River Abv Avalanche Crk, Near Redstone, Co |
| Flow Rate as of 51 minutes | 668 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 16, 2021 |
River Description
The Narrows is a great addition to this run and only adds a mile to the overall length.
Commonly shuttling wood and plagued with cottonwoods leaning into the riverbed below the Narrows, be on the lookout. The rapids are read and run.
Also, see Colorado Rivers and Creeks II, by Banks and Eckardt (The Bible), for info on this and most of the other great runs of Colorado.
Lat/longitude coords are approximate, from TopoZone.
See also Penny Hot Springs to Avalanche Creek (Class IV+),
Crystal Mill Falls to before Crystal Gorge (Class III-IV(V)),
Redstone to Penny Hot Springs (Class V+),
Marble to Redstone (Class III-IV), and
above Beaver Lake (Class V+),
North Fork Crystal (Class V+).
River Features
Put In
Put-in at the road pull-out off Hwy 133 about 200 yards downstream on the Avalanche Creek Rd. bridge. Surrounding property is private so please only use the esignated access.
Take Out
Take out is just upstream of the bridge (S Bill Creek Dr.) and the KOA campground. There is a decent sized gravel lot just off the highway. Surrounding property is private, only use designated access.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportGroup of 3 in packrafts. 980cfs. The rapids were fun read and run. At this level the river seemed to have a rather strong push with constant action and very limited spots to rest. Felt like a solid class 3. After going thru this section the lower part below the KOA camp felt like a kinder garden.
Edit. This is for the marble to redstone section. I posted this under the incorrect section. I will repost
Ran this on 6.19.23.
Water level was rising according to the gauge. Probably in the 1400 to 1500 range.
I would describe this as a class 3+/4- at this level. Although I am an easy coast boater so that may bias my rating. The bigger rapids were very continuous for an east coast boater. The biggest rapid was after the second culvert.
We put on at the town of marble. Once the river starts to parallel hwy 143, the river goes under two road culverts. Each with 3 openings. Scout these culverts when running shuttle for wood. Each of these culverts had wood in them. Also scout for Eddy service above if you need to get out.
We took out at redstone, but there is also an east exit above the first culvert
2020 - May 10 update: Strainers in the run.
Two strainers in this section. Both are scouted and portaged river right. Below the narrows.