Mineral Creek
01. Mineral Creek
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 3.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Mineral Creek at Silverton, Co |
| Flow Rate as of 45 minutes | 124 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 12, 2023 |
River Description
This section of Mineral Creek features swift class 3 water without many well defined rapids. Put in at the bridge near Anvil Campground and take out near the bridge that enters town along Highway 550.
The section above the confluence with the South Fork, either referred too as the upper Main Fork or the North Fork, features class 3 rapids with severe blind corners and major wood hazards.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAs a general rule of thumb for the Mineral Creek gauge in Silverton, 1/2 water comes from S. Mineral Creek and the other 1/2 comes from Mineral Creek. The gauge reading at 400 cfs would be approx. 200 cfs attributable to each branch of Mineral Creek. At flows at or below 200 cfs this section (not to be confused with S. Mineral) of Mineral Creek is mostly class IV read and run boulder drops with a couple of better formed rapids near the bottom of the run. Higher flows ramp up the level of difficulty due to the cold water, continuous gradient and tight blind corners. Wood can definitely be in play as the run cuts thru the bottom of several large avalanche paths. You can put in at the bridge as it crosses the creek on the road to Ophir Pass or put in below the power transformer station just downstream. Run is approx 2 miles long and takes out at the bridge at the confluence with S. Mineral Creek.