Big Thompson
02. Fishing Pier to Forks Park(Big Tommy / Big T)
| Difficulty | IV(V+) |
| Length | 4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 102 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 8, 2023 |
Projects
Colorado River Access American Whitewater’s Colorado River Access Program works to improve river access and public safety throughout the state by working with landowners and managers, paddlers, law enforcement, and lawmakers to understand Colorado’s river access laws and the ongoing threats to public safety. Our primary goals of this [...]Read More
River Description
From the Fishing Pier to Garbage Disposal is a short with little warm up. The next mile or so is solid class V.
From below Garbage Disposal through Cannon Shot (the surprisingly clean horseshoe shaped 15'er visible from the road) is a section known as the Big T Gnar or Gnarrows.
THE GNARROWS (May 2021)
-Bad Boof: A few hundred yards below the jumbled mess that is Garbage Disposal. Not actually a bad boof above 300cfs or so. Boof the middle channel, aiming left of the wood at the lip. Regroup. You're entering the Gnarrows.
V-Slide: After peeling out from the eddy below Bad Boof, make your way around a couple corners and over some diagonally stacked ledges. V-Slide awaits. Aim center (below 300cfs) or just left of center (any level.) Come off sideways and you will be surfed.
Awesome Boof: Make your way through another stair-steppy alleyway section. Come off the 5' entry drop with a bit of right angle, then drive back to middle and launch a fat boof off the curling central lip. High-five your pals in the (smallish) eddies below -- but don't get complacent, as below you awaits...
Weird Thing: Marked by a strangely flat stone standing on edge on river left. The Entry Ramp is best run middle or left of middle to set you up for the strangeness below. At ~275cfs or below this drop can be boofed with a right stroke, taking you down the left exit. Higher than 275 and some speed plus a strong lefty will land you in a mildly backed up pillow/hole that spits you right. HIT YOUR BOOF -- the pocket overhung by the river-right boulder has been a bit of a swimming hole. Not a bad place to set safety.
Cannon Shot: This janky looking thing is shockingly smooth. Classic line is off the curling left shoulder. Aim to land center of the outflow. Center and river-right lines a
River Features
Garbage Disposal
Steep junky drop of about 15'
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThis drop practically launches you where you want to go
This is about 10-12 feet high and has a poor landing zone. It has been done but its not safe.
typical inbetween rapids in the hair section
The second big drop, the wood on river left is right in the good line.
The last rapid of the hair section