| Arkansas — J. Parkdale Launch to Canon City™ © |
Class III-IV
9Miles
Avg Gradient 46 fpm
Max Gradient 0 fpm
River Mapplet
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Gauge Information (Professor Paddle updated levels from ARKANSAS RIVER AT PARKDALE, C at 10/1/2014 5:31:15 AM)
| Gauge |
Forecast |
Height |
Current Flow |
Authority |
Physical Update |
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ARKANSAS RIVER AT PARKDALE, C
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n/a |
3.04 |
610 cfs
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USGS - NWIS |
10/1/2014 4:45:00 AM |
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Minimum Recomended Level: 600 cfs Maximum Recomended Level: 3500 cfs
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AccessAccess to this run is very easy, good parking lots at both takeout and putin, no hiking required. |
Putin DetailsDrive 15 minutes west on 50 from Canon City to Parkdale. Turn into the park service parking lot and pay your $6. Unload down at the water and then drive your car back up to the parking lot. |
Takeout DetailsCross over the river on the overpass at 4th street and park your car in centennial park. There is a statue of a dinosaur at the turn, right at the dinosaur museum. |
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Other IssuesHitching a ride here is tough due to the large numbers of correctional facilities within a 2 mile radius. Bring your shuttle or bring a bike. |
Run Description [Season: March-September ]This run is great as an early season warm up as well as a normal season class II-IV boogie.
The run starts off with about 2.5 miles of class II-III warm up before you get to the first rapid, Sunshine.
Sunshine is usually considered to be the biggest, baddest rapid on the run at class IV. You know you are there when you reach a mellow pool and see a concrete wall against the rail road tracks on river left. Scout on river right along a good trail made on top of an old pipeline. After negotiating the fairly mellow entrance, choose between two lines, right or left, depending on the level. The right is a munchy hole that can be skirted far right. The left is a small 2 foot ledge with a bumpy run out.
After some fun class III boogie, you will see the river narrow down as it snakes around several large boulders. You have reached Sledge hammer. At lower flows this is easily run on river left.
Shortly after Sledgehammer you will reach boat eater. This is essentially a river wide ledge with a small wave train on river left. Run down the left or charge over the hole on the right. At higher flows sledgehammer and boat eater run together.
Now you have reached the most beautiful part of the gorge, paddling through sheer walled canyon that will blow your mind. Make sure not to get to distracted by the beauty as you negotiate the mile of class III-III+. Just as you pass under the bridge, be prepared for Wall Slammer. This rapid is fairly mellow but be prepared to move left at the bottom or become acquainted with the nasty wall on the right.
The gorge soon opens up and after several more miles of class II-III boogie (with some of the best splat rocks known to man), your takeout will be obvious on the right.
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