| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 4.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 85 fpm |
| Gauge | Roaring Fork River Blw Maroon Creek Nr Aspen, Co |
| Flow Rate as of 50 minutes | 104 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 1, 2019 |
This is one of the juiciest, quality, class 4 runs in the state. It goes on and on, it stays pretty consistent in its difficulty for the full four miles. The general character is technical, channelized 4. You can make it your slalom course, you can create your own more difficult lines, you can pick it apart. In comparison to the Numbers on the Arkansas, its a bit more difficult, a bit more techinical, and much more channelized. Its also a nicely scenic stretch of river.
The first rapid, one of the more difficult, Entrance Exam comes about 100 yards downstream of the put-in. Warm up quickly.
A drop that is out of character with the rest of the run, Slaughterhouse Falls, comes about half a mile below the put-in. Look for a calmer section of river, with a large scree field on the left, and a gently slopping beach/bank on the right. Eddie out at the bank on the right to scout. Slaughterhouse Falls is a river wide 6' ledge. At medium and lower flows the line is center left. Scouting from downstream you will see a spot where the falls form a 'crotch', thats your line. Keep your speed up. Going over the falls to far to the right could be nasty. At higher flows check out a far right line over the falls.
Another drop to pay attention for is 'Triple Drop', that includes a sticky hole at the bottom of the rapid in the center.
General comments for the whole run: There is potential for lots of play. Also, though there is not much, keep your eye out for unexpected, random wood, especially if your taking more interesting lines.
- Sammer Elias
There is parking are here providing access to a small green park on the river and a bicycle trail which follows the river. Overflow parking is on the opposite side of the road.
The first rapid, Entrance Exam comes about 200 yards downstream of the put-in. Warm up quickly as it is one of the more difficult rapids on the run.
A drop that is out of character with the rest of the run, Slaughterhouse Falls, comes about half a mile below the put-in. Look for a calmer section of river, with a large scree field on the left, and a gently slopping beach/bank on the right. Eddie out at the bank on the right to scout. Slaughterhouse Falls is a river wide 6' ledge. At medium and lower flows the line is center left. Scouting from downstream you will see a spot where the falls form a 'crotch', thats your line. Keep your speed up. Going over the falls to far to the right could be nasty. At higher flows check out a far right line over the falls.
Jun 9, 2025
Fun at 775 cfs. About as much as most packrafts will handle. Very continuous and paddling needed to hit the right lines and navigate the boulder garden. Recommend scouting entrance exam and the falls. Far left was the line on the falls, but a bit scrape-y. Swims can be long. We had a boat go from middle entrance, over the falls, and almost to the next rapid. Play boats in this section had a tough go.
May 11, 2019
Jun 9, 2018
Fun run around 600 on the gage. This is the low side by western standards but a great low side of medium flow by eastern standards. Lots of boofs and fun slalom moves.