Yampa

04. Cross Mountain Gorge - 85 Rd to Deer Lodge Park Rd(Cross Mountain Gorge)

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April 24, 2005

Trip Report

ReporterChristof Stork

I'm surprised there isn't more info on this run. It's truly a great run. Pretty, lots of action, no flat water.

Note the following:

  1. This run changes a lot with the water level.

  2. There is some danger--mostly with undercut rocks and possible sieves at Snake Pit.

  3. You probably want to scout the top down to Snake Pit. I think it gets easier after Snake Pit.

  4. This run is class V only at high water. At 2000 cfs, it's class IV. Hitting the lines at Snake Pit at 2000 cfs are actually pretty easy, but some danger exists.

  5. At around 2000 cfs, lots of people come here. You'll always have others to run shuttle on weekends.

I'm curious if anyone has died in this section. So many people run it, even in rafts that have real trouble, that if it were really dangerous, there should be some deaths.

I've heard there is a 'death ferry' in this run, but it wasn't there at 2000 cfs. I'd like more info.

Trip Report – Cross Mountain Gorge | American Whitewater