East
01. Gothic Bridge to above Stupid Falls(Upper East)
| Difficulty | IV |
| Length | 0.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 182 fpm |
| Gauge | East River Below Cement Creek Nr Crested Butte, Co |
| Flow Rate as of 25 minutes | 59 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 17, 2026 |
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The Upper East is the easiest of the Crested Butte creeks, and serves as a great warm-up for groups new to the area. If the ledges on the East feel steep and scary, steeper, more consequential runs like Daisy and Oh Be Joyful might not yet be on the table. The Class IV ledges in this run create clear horizon lines, but a group with a guide can route this stretch in 10 minutes. Below the usual take out is Stupid Falls, a V+ bonus for the hair boaters.
A quick warm-up leads to the first set of small ledges. The most significant, Midget Wrestler, is the third drop that can form a sticky hole at some levels. It's followed by a set of fun slides that each create horizon lines but are relatively straightforward. Medium flows through this section can feel like a creek boat waterslide.
Make sure you’ve pre-scouted your take-out eddy to avoid the aptly named Stupid Falls (V+-NR), a 60’ falls with an ankle-breaking ledge. It’s been run, but it needs lots of water to pad out the ledge.
While the run is quick, it is gorgeous under the spectacular Gothic Mountain and in fields of wildflowers. At moderate flows, the run provides an unique opportunity for intermediate paddlers to test their skills on moderately sized slides.
To get there: Take Gothic Rd out of Crested Butte until you cross the river. This bridge is the put-in. To get to the takeout continue down the road another 50 yards past the bridge and take the first dirt road on the right. About a mile down that road keep an eye out for a large flat field to the right with the grass next to the road trampled down a bit from parking. Look for a small trail leading to the far corner of the field, this is where to scout Stupid Falls and the takeout.
The Quadruple Crown: Because of the short length and proximity of the Crested Butte creeks all 4 of them can be run in the same day. The
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The small but potent hole at the bottom is the 'midget', and he is grumpy. There are two lines, left and right. The left line is a bit easier, you start center and work left, just squeeking by the midget on the left. The right line you follow the wave train down the right side and over a stompin' ledge, then slide over the shallow ledge to the right of the midget. This is the only hard rapid that can be seen from Gothic Road.
This is almost a waterfall, it drops about 12' of nearly vertical with no hydraulic. Run it left of center, follow the green water.
Three 5' slides that are back-to-back. There is a log on the left in the last slide.
A bony diagonal ledge at top is followed with a large hole on bottom left. Enter center left and work right.
Consider pre scouting at river level to avoid running Stupid
A 60' falls with a significant, ankle-breaking ledge. Higher flows start to pad out the ledge... somewhat.
