Bear Creek
01. Idledale to Morrison
| Difficulty | III-V |
| Length | 8.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 185 fpm |
| Gauge | Bear Creek at Morrison |
| Flow Rate as of 6 hours | 25 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 1, 2022 |
River Description
Bear Creek is an intermittent stream with the roadside qualities of being fast-paced and definitely impacted by a number of concrete structures, diversions and wood. Bear Creek contains Colorado-style class IV/V with plenty of small waterfalls packing unique power and hydrology. Being near Denver, expect urban stormwater while the willow, tamarisk, and russian olive whip you into the next rapid. Bear Creek is a very small streambed, so expect facial combat with overhanging vegetation. Some stretches are notorious for it's sticky hydraulics at high water.
Bear Creek is rowdy over 500 cfs . When visual inspection causes lots of questioning you are at a sikbird level @ +/- 600 cfs.
Bear Creek flows through JeffCO parks and has a number of good hikes to explore local geological features.
Flooding in September 2013 resulted in significant changes to many Colorado rivers. Streambed alterations and woody debris are common. These structures may cause significant and instant streambed alteration causing WTF moments. (WTF: Welcome to Frontrange... ) There are frequently lumber piles and strainers on Bear Creek. ** Now watch out for that low bridge!! This run and many other Colorado Streams and Rivers are all surrounded by competing water providers and urban straws.
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River Features
Idledale
Putin at the first street you come to in Idledale.
Park smart, like you live there and dont want to screw your neighbors. Do not block driveways.
Please find a safe vehicle pullout by the creek or highway. There is a low water bridge 100 ft downstream, at 250cfs you have to duck to get under it.
At over 700cfs, call 911 and begin rescue breathing.
No Scout Falls
A disgruntled land owner overlooks this rapid, you can't scout this rapid without tresspassing on his land. At least it's relatively easy. Take the far right channel, boof left over a juicy hole, then go with the flow as is it zig-zags back and forth.
1st Slide
Just downstream from a tight corkskrewing rapid, run it center right.
No Fun Falls
Long and pushy entrance into steep little gorge, through a couple big holes then over a 10' waterfall into a nice pool. Small eddy on the left below the falls.
Beware of the right side at the bottom as well.
2nd Slide
Run right but not too far right to avoid overhanging rock on bank for flows under 250cfs.
Diversion Dam
No keeper hydraulic at the bottom so boof away! If you've had your hands full above take out here.
Hair O' the Bear
This hectic 1/2 mile long rapid is chock full of big holes, and has no eddyies.
This face scraping run provides a thick tunnel of overhanging willows. Not a good place to swim... all of Bear Creek that is.
High flow note: at over 650cfs this section is NOT advised.
Morrison City Park
Continuous pushy white water all the way to the take out. Get out just before the bridge over the creek, on river left. From the main drag in Morrison turn left at Maple Ave, then right at Bear Creek Ave just before the bridge over the creek. Follow the signs for Morrison City Park.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportIf you enjoy dynamic change, Bear Creek is right up your alley!
@ 265 CFS
Totally fun falls @ 265 CFS