Green

FloatfromSpillwayLaunchRamptoGatesofLodore in5days(M-F).Flowssub1000andweatherinmid80's.Sectionfromendofthe CtoGatesofLodoreveryflatandrequiredalotofrowingbecauseofwinds.Unlikely, we'dfloatsectioninBrowns ParkNationalWildlifeRefugeagainwithraftsbecauseofveryflatwater,lessthanidealcamping(requiredtocampinestablished campgrounds), and quite a bit more bugs than in the ABC section. However we did not see any other boaters for those two days in Browns Park NWR.

ABC section beautiful and nice camping. Left run of Red Creek Rapid (III) was possible in 16ft rafts, but a lot of sleepers and boulders to dodge in lower part of the rapid.

We had four packrafts and one 12ft round boat with simple raft set up. We had tail winds (thank god) and great weather. Really fun overnighter with lots of paddling required if doing A and B section in one day. Took us about 8hrs to do sections A and B, and another 4.5hrs to do section C. Headwind can be a serious issue given all the flatwater. Plan on having three or more paddlers on your raft if you have a standard raft set up. Plenty of camping available that doesn't require reservations at Indian Crossing and Bridge Hollow. Most of the BLM camping along the riverside after these established campgrounds were taken and were few and far between so if doing a un-reserved float, plan to camp either at Indian Crossing or Bridge Hollow. Just after Indian Crossing boat ramp there is a subtle manmade eddy area with a footpath that leads to campsights 9 and 10. You can tie up your raft here and MAKE SURE YOU TIE UP YOUR RAFT because the dam release happens every night and water rises 2 to 4 feet every night depending on the dam release quantity and duration. Ground here is packed roadbase/gravel so staking is hard. Mosquitos were definitely around in mid-June so beware. They were the worst at Swallow Canyon Road take-out. The breeze kept them at bay at Indian Crossing. Bring deet. Wonderful wildlife. SOOO many dory guided fishing boat tours. We were one of maybe 3 rafting parties just there to float and not fish out of the 50+ boats we saw on the water that day. Lunch at Little Hole had picnick tables and trash bins and bathrooms. A good halfway point for your A+B float. We ran the Class III section twice in our packrafts. We did the easier left side and the harder right side. Both awesome and fun and definitely required a scout beforehand. This river is for the fisher-people and not for the whitewater folks so they really slow the flows down for the fishing. This makes the Red Creek Class III rapid really bony and honestly quite easy. You just need to scout a couple rock avoidances on the left. The right side had some holes to stay left on and stay away from the churning water on the right cliff wall. Spits you out fine and don't forget to avoid the rocks after the fun parts.

Great weekend!

Super scenic! Had a great time on the river this weekend. A couple things:

If you are running the A section from Spillway boat launch and want to use a an oar rig, you pretty much need access to a trailer. There are signs that you cannot inflate anywhere near the water (and people there to enforce that), and the parking area where they suggest you inflate is a quarter to half mile from the water. I rented a trailer in Dutch John - would have liked to know this ahead of time.

There are a couple unnamed/unmarked rapid sections before Mother-in-Law at ~800 cfs, class II maybe? nothing hard or techical, but if you are expecting totally-flat to riffles this was a little more than that

6/20/18 ~2050cfs
very flat, very scenic, very clear and green

6/21/18 ~2090cfs