Dolores

03. Bradfield Launch (McPhee Reservoir) to Dove Creek Pump Station

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June 25, 2023

A beautiful section of the Dolores

ReporterWilliam Hinchliffe
FlowMedium Flow

Ran this section as a day trip OC3 in a tandem canoe and had a blast. At a release of 1200 cfs we were able to avoid 'sleeper rocks' just under the surface, but they were difficult to discern from waves once the current picked up at about mile 12. Quite narrow in sections. There was a laminated copy of the 2017 guidebook in the boater registration box at the takeout. If you're willing to climb there's a trail on river right at about mile 18 that leads to some ancient cliff dwellings. With a good back ferry and awareness of the sleeper rocks this was not a difficult run in a canoe. Abundant camping, a bit overgrown but nothing unmanageable.