Gore Creek
02. East Vail Exit (I-70) to Vail
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 4.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 67 fpm |
| Gauge | Gore Creek Abv Red Sandstone Creek at Vail, Co |
| Flow Rate as of 29 minutes | 168 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 14, 2019 |
River Description
This creek runs right through Vail and there's a great little play spot and rodeo site in the
center of town. Access is relatively straightforward as the creek is paralleled by I-70.
Watch for golf balls in upper part.
River Features
Put In
Vail Whitewater Park
Vail Whitewater Park is located on the upstream side of International Bridge, where Willow Bridge Road crosses Gorge Creek, in Vail Village and has been the site of competitive kayak freestyle events.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportJust R3'd the gore today all the way to Stephens Park super fun and exciting. Bucketlist!!
I ran this pretty late into the day in june and it was deffinetly pumping i believe it was around 800 cfs...It was alot of fun...I remember one class 4 drop with some big holes and push to it. Then i remember about 3 more pretty big rapids on the run...One being right after the sign that says kayakers exit here. Good run...Oh ya funny story...we were floating along and some drunk girl outside a cabin along the run decides to flash us, so you never know :). But the best part wa the high water (or at least higher than i have seen) dowd shoot run.
I paddled Gore for the first time June 5, 04. The level was about 300 cfs. We went from the filtration plant on Forest Road in West Vail to the Bus Stop takeout on the Eagle River at Miniturn; about 6-7 miles.
Access and shuttle are both easy and right near the Interstate.
This Creek is shallow, rocky and pretty continous with numerous class IIIish rapids. Above where Gore enters the Eagle there was one significant drop. It was just a bit steeper continous Colorado Creek; no notable rapids which presented features unlike the general charecter of the stream. Pretty much what you see is what you get until the Eagle. There are several pipes, one of which required getting out of the open boat; kaykas went under.
Dowd Chutes, a rapid which occurs maybe 200 yards downstream of the confluence with the Eagle River, is a big open wave train with several holes that could spill but not keep you. The Eagle more than doubled the flow but the river and there also seemed to be more features and possible play on the Eagle.
If you are a play boater, then you want to put in further upstream to take advantage of the artificially constructed playhole under the bridge, right in the middle of Vail Village.
300 cfs is locally regarded as low. There was enough water to paddle the creek but I bet at higher levels it gets considerably more pushy.
Pretty consistant fast flow, no pool/drop, no big drops.
Summary: Intermediate creek right on I-70 with good play spot and one class IV, easily walkable drop. The hole in town is good enough to just park, play and get out. Chris Kelly
Rodeo during the Teva Mountain Games. This playspot is right in the center of Vail.