Cache La Poudre
04. Indian Meadows Bridge to Lower Narrows Campground(Lower Rustic)
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 9.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 43 fpm |
| Gauge | Cache La Poudre at Canyon Mouth Near Fort Collins |
| Flow Rate as of 1 day | 165 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 23, 2025 |
River Description
This is an excellent intermediate run at most levels, with a many class 3 drops and a few places where the drops are III+ or IV at moderate and high levels. The first noteworty section is Grandpa's Gorge, which the river enters after crossing under the bridge below Indian Meadows. At moderate to high water, a couple holes in the gorge get sticky - hit them straight and hard or just go around them. Other highlights are the abrupt drop under the bridge just above the Mountain Park campground, a few outstanding surfing waves at the campground, and the two drops below the brige to the campground. The first drop below the bridge is a bit messy, but it has a good (if somewhat thin) line through the middle. A large and tenacious hole forms in the center and right side of the drop at mile marker 99 (which has various dramatic names). Expecially at high water, hit it hard and keep paddling, or just avoid it to the right. You can't see this hole from above, so it's been the source of considerable excitement. At medium flows, there is an exceptional 'beginner play hole' on river right. Also look for the small, but very smooth and eddy-served surfing waves shorty above Century park, where the river merges below an island.
This run is best above 3.5 on the Pineview gauge, and preferably above 4'. At 4' and above, it rolls along nicely without getting overly pushy, but also without any real flatwater.
While most of this run is near the road, it somehow retains the flavor of a run deeper in the woods. Both the upper and lower Rustic runs need a bit more water than those below the narrows, so the season will begin later and end earlier. It's also noticably colder in the upper canyon, and a full day in a play boat up here can be a chilling experience.
To get there: The put-in is the Indian Meadows Low Bridge at mile marker 94. Good take-outs are at the small Century Park picnic area at mile-marker 100, or a bit farther downstream at
...River Features
Indian Meadows Low Bridge Put-In
The low bridge across the Poudre River.
Indian Meadows Fishing Site
Fishing site and picnic area administered by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as a day-use area that has river access.
Grandpa's Gorge
Begins after passing under the Highway 14 Bridge.
Decapitation Bridge
A drop directly above the small bridge here where the current pushes to the left and into the concrete foundation of the bridge.
Mountain Park Campground
Entrance to Mountain Park Campground
Century Park Picnic Site Access
Picnic area with tables and a toilet administered by Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests located along Highway 14 that provides access to the river.
Lower Narrows Campground Take-Out
Walk-in tent camgpround administered by Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests that provides access to the river.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThere's a strainer (.45 miles downstream of the Highway 14 Bridge, .25 Miles downstream of Dadd Gulch put-in) Strainer is currently passable via a 12' slot on river right.