Expert Rafting
Our Expert Whitewater Raft Trips
| River | Trip Name | Class | Min Age | Basecamp |
| Clear Creek | 1/2 Day Advanced | 4/5 | 16 | Idaho Springs |
| Arkansas | Numbers Full Day | 4/5 | 16 | Buena Vista |
Expert Whitewater Rafting Information
Expert adventures are the pinnacle of whitewater rafting and the ultimate challenge. These adventures are just the thing for experienced and aggressive paddlers looking to take their whitewater experience to the highest level. Expert adventures are for people who feel very comfortable in and around water, and those who have whitewater experience. 
In order to truly feel comfortable in expert whitewater you must know how to swim, have good physical conditioning and mental awareness, be aggressive and have the size and strength to perform a self-rescue if needed. The choice is yours and if you’re up to the challenge, expert whitewater can be exhilarating and very rewarding. For the most aggressive white water (high water), consider booking adventures for mid May through late June.
The best thing about running rivers in Colorado is the wide variety of difficulty levels you have to choose from. Whitewater rafting in Colorado has something for everyone from four-year-old children to experienced whitewater enthusiasts. When choosing a white water 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 to the person with the lowest ability level. Remember, every river adventure is fun, even the most mellow experience.
Rafting rivers is more then just crazy whitewater and extreme excitement; it is the total experience that creates memories of a lifetime. A positive Colorado whitewater rafting experience can include excitement as well as wildlife, beautiful views, rich history told by knowledgeable guides and, most of all, enjoying a comfortable experience with friends and family. However, 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 whitewater rafting adventures can vary depending on water levels and weather conditions, you will sometimes see two different ratings for an adventure. The rating will often increase (get more difficult) early season during peak water flows; this can be due to high water levels and/or cooler weather conditions. For more 
detailed information about water levels and weather conditions, contact us or call 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, mental ability and maturity level. These factors, along with years of experience taking thousand of guests rafting, have gone into setting minimum ages. We reserve the right to refuse service based on a person’s age or ability levels. Minimum ages can change based on weather and water conditions.
| 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 SYSTEMThis 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 contact us and our office personnel will be happy to assist you in putting together a successful river experience. |
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Highside Adventure Tours, Inc. (DBA Good Times Rafting, Colorado Adventure Center) operates under special use permits with the White River National Forest, Colorado State Parks (Arkansas River Headwaters Area), Bureau of Land Management (BLM Kremmling office), Clear Creek County and is an equal opportunity service provider.
All Lower Colorado River (Shoshone Rapids) and Roaring Fork trips offered through Rock Gardens Rafting a fully licensed and permitted outfitter.
