| Difficulty | IV |
| Length | 6.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 107 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 3, 2026 |
The Drake section of the Big Thompson is one of the most fun class IV+ runs on the Front Range. It is continuous and roadside, but it is full of amazing boofs. The general character is continuous IV- with a few class IV+ drops and one V-. As with everything on the Front Range it is shallow. It is also a great add on to the Big Thompson Gnar Section
Start below Cannon Shot (the obvious waterfall) for the class IV experience. There is a huge pulloff here with ample parking. Between 350 cfs and 400 cfs most people take out in Drake at the Forks Park, but at higher flows going all the way to Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park is well worth it. You’ll also get a small flow bump of usually < 100 cfs from the North Fork of the Big Thompson which confluences in Drake.
Sadly, this section is Dam released and unpredictable. They usually update the flow at midnight and it can go from too low to too high and vice versa. Typical snowmelt season (June) is your best bet, but you have to check day-of to be sure. You can check the flows here: BTBLESCO
350 cfs to 400 cfs is low.
400 cfs to 600 cfs is medium.
Above 600 cfs is high. Plenty of the run will start to feel class V, like a mini-Payette.
You can check how much water the North Fork of the Big Thompson adds here BTNFDRCO though this rarely matters since it is usually < 100 cfs.
A nice boof on the right below Cannon Shot gets things going.
You then have almost a mile of continuous class IV/IV+. The amazing thing about this river is: if it looks like a good boof, it probably is.
Things mellow out a bit at the first bridge you come to.
Right after the second bridge you come to is the Drake Rapid (even though you are not in the town of Drake yet), class V-, so get out river left to scout. You can al
...Park at the large pull off at the Cannon Shot waterfall.
The top part of the Drake Rapid used to be an amazing boof, but it is now a nasty looking slot. The outflow of the slot goes into a nasty backed up hole river right. It has been run, but even the best locals universally portage it. It is a super quick walk river left, and you can seal launch into the pool below. Two river wide holes, weakest on the right, lead into a left-hand turn. Stay river right, boof the curlers and then middle right over the final drop.
Boof the top hole middle right, hit a sweet right boof in the middle and then stay left under the bridge. This is a fast shallow flume type rapid.
Optional take out in Forks Park (Drake) for use at low water or for those looking for a shorter run.