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Beginner Rafting
| RIVER |
TRIP NAME |
CLASS |
DIFFICULTY
LEVEL |
MINIMUM
AGE |
DEPT PLACE |
MEETING TIME |
| Clear
Creek |
1/3
day beginner |
2/3 |
Beginner |
5
and 50lbs |
Idaho Springs |
9:30am
/ 12pm / 2:30pm / 5pm |
| Colorado |
Full
day raft trip |
2 |
Beginner |
4
or 40 lbs |
Frisco |
9am |
| Colorado |
½
day raft trip |
2 |
Beginner |
4
or 40 lbs |
Frisco |
11:30am |
| Arkansas |
Brown's
Canyon full day |
3/4 |
Beginner |
7 |
Buena
Vista |
Buena
Vista 9am |
| Arkansas |
Brown's
Canyon 1/2 day |
3/4 |
Beginner |
7 |
Buena
Vista |
9:30am
/ 2pm |
Beginner
river rafting adventures are a perfect activity for the whole family. Everyone
from children as young as 4 years old to grandparents, the whole family will
enjoy beginner rafting in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It’s a great way
to get the whole family to experience nature and the great outdoors and still
stay within everyone’s comfort levels. Beginner adventures are also
the perfect activity for people who are more timid or are not as comfortable
around water. Remember, river rafting is a lot more then just crazy whitewater. It
is wild life, nature, history, and knowledgeable professional guides. All
these factors make a day outside in the Colorado Rocky Mountains one you
will never forget.
The best thing about running rivers in Colorado is the wide variety of difficulty
levels you have to choose from. White water rafting in Colorado has something
for everyone from 4 year old children to the experienced whitewater enthusiast.
When choosing a raft trip you should always keep in mind the ability of every
member of your group. It is a good idea to choose an adventure that is geared
toward the person with the lowest ability level. Remember, every river adventure
is fun, even the mellowest experience. Rafting rivers is more than just crazy
whitewater and extreme excitement. It is the total experience that creates
the memories of a life time. A positive Colorado white water rafting experience
is not only excitement but can also includes, wildlife, beautiful views,
rich history from knowledgeable guides, and most of all enjoying a comfortable
experience with friends and family. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not
take into consideration the “perfect whitewater rafting adventure” millions
of years ago when she formed the rivers of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Keeping this in mind it might be necessary to adjust your expectations to
accommodate everyone’s comfort levels.
Because
difficulty levels for Colorado white water rafting adventures can vary depending
on water levels and weather conditions you will sometimes have two different
ratings for an adventure. The rating will often increase (get more difficult)
early season during peak water flows do to high water levels and cooler weather
conditions. High water season can be the best time to raft if you are looking
for high adventure. Remember to consider the groups
comfort levels when deciding on a difficulty level for your adventure. High
water season in Colorado is typically early to mid June, peaking around the
summer solstice (mid June). This can differ depending on weather and snowpack.
For more detailed information about water levels and weather conditions you
can contact our knowledgeable reservations staff at 800-997-3448.
Minimum ages are also available to help you find your comfort level. Our minimum
ages are not mandatory, they are a guide for you to use when making a decision
about the adventure you are choosing. Factors that go into minimum ages include
but are not limited to a person’s height, weight, physical ability, and mental
ability and maturity levels. These factors along with years of experience and
taking thousand of guests rafting over the years have gone into setting minimum
ages. We do reserve the right to refuse service if necessary depending on a person’s
age or ability levels in an effort to maintain a reasonable level of safety.
Beginner
=
first timers, young children |
Intermediate
=
aggressive first timers, teens |
Advanced
=
experienced paddlers looking for an adventure |
Expert
=
very experienced paddlers only |
RIVER/RAPIDS CLASS RATING SYSTEM
This is strictly a subjective scale. You can characterize a rapid by
class or give a general class to a whole river even though it has several
different classes of rapids within it. The class of a rapid or river
can change at different water levels. The temperature of the water, the
air temperature, the remoteness of the river, and the difficulty of a
rescue can all influence the rapid's class.
Class I - Easy. Small riffles. No significant waves or obstacles.
Class II - Novice. Moderate rapids with regular waves, small drops, clear
passages and wide channels. Occasional maneuvering may be required.
Class III - Intermediate. Moderately difficult rapids with larger irregular
waves, often narrow channels. Complex maneuvering to avoid obstacles
required.
Class IV - Advanced. Intense, powerful rapids requiring precise maneuvering
in fast, turbulent water. Complex channels with many significant obstacles
to be avoided.
Class V - Expert. Extremely long violent or obstructed rapids, often
following each other almost without interruption. Drops may have large,
unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with difficult
routes. Steep gradient.
Class VI - unrunnable
Classifications of river sections may change due to water levels
For help in choosing a trip or any questions you might have please, call
1-800-997-3448 and our office personnel will be happy to assist you in
putting together a successful river experience. Or e-mail us at: info@raftingcolorado.com |
Highside Adventure
Tours
1-800-997-3448
three convenient Colorado locations to serve you
Idaho Springs, Summit County, Buena Vista
www.RaftingColorado.com
Email Us at info@raftingcolorado.com
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