Dolores
05. Slickrock to Bedrock
| Difficulty | II+(III) |
| Length | 49 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | Dolores River Near Bedrock, Co. |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 6 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 11, 2023 |
River Description
FUN FACT: Some sections of beautiful desert scenery.
SEASON: April to early June depending on snowpack and release from McPhee Dam.
ISSUES: Recreational users have traditionally been the last to be considered in the management plan for McPhee Dam. A proposal to construct additional diversions designed to capture even more of the spring melt will only make the situation worse. Check with the Dolores River Boating Advocates for the latest information on this issue.
LOGISTICS: To reach the put-in, take Highway 141 to the bridge across the Dolores at Slickrock. There is a launch site downstream river left of the bridge. This is private property. The landowner allows river access and parking for $10 a day. The first 15 miles or so of this section pass through mostly private ranch lands so this section is less frequently paddled unless its part of a long multi-day trip. A common and alternate launch at the Gypsum Valley Boat Ramp is near the end of this first part and just above the point where the river enters Slick Rock Canyon. You can reach it by taking Highway 20 off Highway 141. The take-out at Bedrock is on river left just upstream of the Highway 90 Bridge.
DESCRIPTION: This section of the Dolores starts with a mellow float through ranch land before entering Slick Rock Canyon which contains a few easy rapids. You're not going on this run for the whitewater action, but rather the beautiful scenery, desert campsites, and side canyon hikes. That being said there are still a couple of spots where solid intermediate paddling skills are required, and once you're committed to this remote canyon opportunities to exit are limited. While McPhee dam upstream limits the days you can float this river its still a great desert river trip. Low flows have caused encroached vegetation making eddying out and getting to camp somewhat difficult. The Dolores is managed by the BLM and they maintain a
...River Features
Slick Rock Put In
The Slick Rock access is located on private land on river right immediately upstream of the Slick Rock Bridge (Highway 141). Inquire locally regarding current status of the access but it has been open for use with a fee paid to the owner during releases from the dam.
Gypsum Valley Recreation Site
Intermediate access on river right.
Bull Canyon Rapid
Rapid formed from outwash of Bull Canyon that comes in on river right.
Sleeping Rock Rapid
Emerges at lower flows (<1000 cfs) and easier at higher flows.
Spring Canyon Rapid
Rapid formed by outwash from Spring Canyon that comes in on river and is known as a good hike with a pool and grotto about a mile up the canyon.
One Holer Rapid
Stay left of the island and enjoy the hole at the bottom.
La Sal Rapid
The rapid is above La Sal Canyon and should be scouted, particularly at lower flows.
S-Curve Rapid
Madame Curie Rapid
Bedrock Take Out
Access on river left that serves as a take out for this section.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportTwo nights over the weekend of May 5-7 during which releases from McPhee dam increased and stayed at 3400 cfs. This was a great and fast moving flow. The vegetation (primarily willows) that have encroached the channel during years of low and no flow make stopping for camp and hikes more difficult. We also experienced a good bit of hustling to get camps both nights as there were quite a few other groups. There were available campsite, but you can't bank on getting the more popular ones without getting on the river early. It was a gorgeous weekend with our two families with toddlers.