Brown's Canyon

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Brown's Canyon

Run Length	13 miles	Average Gradient	31 fpm
Difficulty	Class III	Recommended Flow	600-3500 cfs
River	Arkansas River	Location	Salida, Colorado
Author	Brian Adkins	Current Level
Drainage	Arkansas	Elevation	7665ft to 7260ft

Brown's Canyon Zume Floom

Paddler: T.J. Kelly Photographer: Steve Robertson

Brown's Canyon is arguably the best Class III run in the state. Brown's is a beautiful little canyon with lots of smooth rounded granite, up on the hills and in the river too. The only sign of civilization is the railroad on river left. Canyon Doors is one of the first rapids and is generally considered the best playspot on the run. At high water, say 3000cfs, you have to surf it on the fly because there is no eddy. The biggest rapid is Zoom Flume, about 1/2 way down the run, it kinda sorta approaches Class IV in difficulty. I ran this at 1200cfs and it still had a big water feel with some swirlies to negotiate, I can only imagine that would be much more pronounced at higher water. Even though I ran it on a weekday, it was June, it was very crowded with guided rafts. If you do run this it is highly recommended to avoid weekends during peak tourist season.

Flow information:
- Low: 600 - 1,000 cfs
- Med: 1,000 - 2,500 cfs
- High: 2,500 cfs and up

Big thanks to CW for being our partner for the EddyFlower Vertical Challenge.

Disclaimer

	Put-In To get to the put-in, turn east off Highway 285 2 miles north of Nathrop (mile marker 24) on county road 301. Cross the river and turn right at the top of the river. Another put-in option exists at Ruby Mountain Campground. To get here go past the Fisherman's Bridge put-in and turn right for the Ruby Campground. Drive about 2+ miles.
	Canyon Doors Class III Fun breaking wave, best play spot in the canyon.
	Pinball Class III Immediately follows Canyon Doors. Several options exist through a boulder garden.
	Zoom Flume Class III+ The big one. There should be lots of activity on the banks to clue you that this rapid is just below. Big waves and pushy current, I do remember one rock in the middle to avoid.
	Big Drop Class III
	Seven Stairs Class III A good section of wave trains.
	Widowmaker Class III Obstruction rapid. Rock dodging, decent eddies for recovery. Toilet bowl can be unforgiving at about 1500. Don't go over the Widowmaker Falls river right after the Toiletbowl. HUGE undercut boulder at the end of this rapid called House Rock (it's as big as a.... house).
	Raft Ripper Class III
	Seidel's Suckhole Class IV+ This rapid is a tricky on there is some guardian rocks on the right and a a hole that will flip boats in the center so how to run this rapid the hero line is to start left and charge the guardian rock on the right the other way is only recommended at high watter u need to start in the center and brake the wave on the left and stay left or you will hit the hole and flip
	Take-Out Turn east off Highway 291 onto county road 190 then turn right into the Stone Bridge recreation area.

Add Rapid

	Uncharacteristically high, proceed with caution.
	Powerful, pushy and unforgiving.
	Ideal flow conditions.
	Boney with potential for boat abuse.
	Not enough water to float a boat.
	Please let us know.
	No gauge, visual required.