South Platte

I have been a Northside Denver resident for over 20 years.  This section of the South Platte River became my backyard run after departure from Boulder.  Yes, it is an urban river running.  I grew up swimming in creeks in Philadelphia, yeah, I know that smell.  On a hot Sunday afternoon, I met up with a boater that just moved here looking to get on some easy water.   I was an avid boater for years, with a long break before this year. I just got a new Ducky and was jonesing to get it out.  I had not been on moving water in a while.  It was running at 750cfs, a solid fun level.

What people see trash in the eddies, crowds, and the occasional drifter making homestead on the banks.  What they don’t see is the potential of what the South Platte can become.  River projects from Globeville to Chatfield have significantly cleaned up the river and created new area access points for recreation.  Union Chutes is now known for the River Run Park, the urban surf destination in Colorado.   Besides the one nasty drop above Phil Milstein Park, this could be a great beginner run from Chatfield to City of Cuernavaca Park.  The water is improving.  We are catching trout now at REI.  I believe in the trout!

We found free parking at Fishback Park.  If you want to run a shuttle, you can park higher up near Mile High and there is free parking at City of Cuernavaca Park (take out).  The first drop, a straightforward Class 3, is properly named Hep A and Hep B.  You can surf here, practice micro-eddy catching and get out and do it again, again and again.  The bottom hole is great for classic surfing with easy access and a good run out to get your roll.

Everything else is pretty much Class 2.  At higher water, Class 2 plus. The 16h street Waymay Wave (Hep C) was much different when the old 16th viaduct bridge supports were still standing.  Old locals told me stories of Hawaii 5-0 at 2000 cfs plus that formed there.  A river wide wave glassy experience.  Now with the new bridge, this changed of the river, the wave. The river left wave is still fun, with some wave trains perfect for wave wheels, a real six flags water feature. Here are some good park and play or river surfing opportunities.  I surfed a SUP on this wave.

There is a break in the action then the 19th St. drops at the Denver Skate Park.  The hole of significance is Masterblaster (Hep D). This section is a series of drops.  The rock goal posts show you the line and lead you down the green water.

Another flat stretch, where the old slalom course was that leads you to the Trestle Wave.  Under the Union Pacific RR bridge.  It is a rowdy steep wave that has a tricky river right eddy entrance.  Get in and hang on.  It has a good run out if you flip.  Watch out for Lime scooters in the river.

Most of the pictures are from the day we ran it.  Two are from the past, with a boater on the water.  Me in a Ducky (Hep A) and me in my playboat (Trestle).  I hope that the river restoration work continues and opens more opportunities for all river users.   The South Platte is a wonderful place that can extend a boating year with the right flows from the water gods.

Flood stage - GoPro view - feature under bridge