We run three trips on the Piedra River: the Upper Box (an intermediate adventure), the Lower Box (an advanced adventure) and the Two Day which runs the Upper Box on the first day and the Lower Box on the second day after a night of catered camping in a beautiful alpine wilderness.
The Piedra's Lower Box holds some of the biggest drops we run on any river. The gradient of the river increases from an average of 53 feet per mile to 100 feet per mile in the heart of the Lower Box. This incredible pristine wilderness is unsurpassed for undisturbed wilderness boating. The 2-Day trip on the Piedra River is particularly magical as we put in on a creek (Upper Box) with barely enough water to float and then bump and grind our way through technical rapids as we watch creek after creek cascading into the river. The river proceeds to grow and grow into a raging torrent by the second day. Bear and elk are often spotted along the banks and if we are really lucky, they are forging the river in front of us. Fresh water otter can also be found playing in the fresh mountain waters of the Piedra River. "Piedra" is the Spanish word for rock, named by the conquistadors Dominguez and Escalante. "The River of the Stone Wall" lives up to its name with towering granite walls and a boulder-strewn riverbed.
Piedra River Itinerary:
- 9:00 Meet at the Piedra River Store;
- 10:00 arrive at put-in. Safety orientation & instruction, rig boats;
- 10:30 warm up with continuous class II+ rapids;
- 11:00 breathtaking wildernesses;
- 11:30 Fun class II+ rapids;
- 12:00 Delicious lunches;
- 1:00 Board rafts for more class II+ action;
- 1:15 Enter second box canyons and the action begin;
- 1:20 "Lone Pine" rapid - class IV run it!
- 1:45 "Lime Stone" rapid - class III to IV shoot it!
- 2:30 Hit camps with time for spectacular hiking and fishing. (Bring own fishing gear).
- 1-day trip returns to the Piedra River Store;
- 6:00 Dinner - Steak and Salmon feast;
- 7:00 Fun around the campfire.
Lower Box or Day 2 of Two-Day (Class III and IV+):
- 7:00 Coffee is ready. (Early bird hikers get the worm);
- 7:30 Stock up on a hearty breakfast;
- 8:30 Overnight trip breaks down camp;
- 9:00 One day trip meets at Piedra River Store (see directions);
- 9:30 Board rafts & begin with a short class II warm up;
- 10:00 Enter first box canyon with Class III whitewater;
- 10:15 Boat continuous class III;
- 10:30 Drop into "Big Drop" rapid - class IV;
- 10:45 Bounce through more class III+ rapids;
- 11:15 Scout & thread "Eye of the Needle" rapid class IV+;
- 11:45 Scout (or portage) "Mud Slide" rapid class IV+ to V+;
- 12:15 "Climax" rapid - class IV;
- 12:45 Chow down on lunch at a riverside hot spring;
- 1:30 Raft on in class II and IV;
- 2:30 Land at Piedra River Campground. 10-minute shuttle back to cars.
Meeting Place and Time:
Piedra River store located 40 miles E. of Durango just before crossing the Piedra River. The store is 20 miles W. of Pagosa Springs, just after crossing the river. The store is also a gas station/post office on the North side of Hwy. 160.
What to Wear and Bring:
Wear quick drying clothes like nylon shorts and a swimsuit with shoes that can get wet. Old tennis shoes, Tevas or sandals with a strap around the heel (no thongs). In spring and on high water trips, wool, fleece or any synthetic garment is recommended. These materials stay warm when wet, unlike cotton which stays the temperature of the water. We have wetsuits, fleece and wetsuit boots available for rental in all sizes from small children through large adults (up to 300+ pounds).
Wetsuits and wetsuit boots are recommended on Spring trips through June on rafts (being that the water is only 6 hours old, previously being snow!). Wetsuit boots are recommended all season long.
Our Rental Guarantee applies - if you feel that the wetsuit was not needed, we refund your rental money in full!
We also recommend you bring a waterproof camera, eye glass straps, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm and a sun hat, along with your sense of adventure!
Class IV and V Rivers:
Wetsuits and wetsuit boots are required and wool, fleece and synthetic jackets and socks are recommended. We recommend you arrive at the trip’s designated meeting location with a swimsuit under your clothes. You can then slide the wetsuit over your swimsuit. Overnight trips require camping equipment (tent, 10 degree sleeping bag, pad or cot if desired – high quality rentals available) and personal gear (warm camp clothes, extra fleece jacket, rain gear, bug spray, toiletries, extra socks, warm jacket, hiking boots/shoes, warm hat, gloves). Don’t forget your waterproof camera, eye glass straps, water bottle, sun glasses, sunscreen, lip balm and a sun hat as well as your sense of humor and adventure!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
1 Day Upper Box - $120.00;
1 Day Lower Box - $155.00;
2 Day (Upper + Lower) - $355.00.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Colorado
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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