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| Foxton
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The Foxton run on the North Fork of the South Platte is a great run for intermediate kayakers looking to get a feel for technical Colorado creeks. It has many technical features, but the river is not pushy and the environment is not threatening. In fact, the road is right by the river the whole way.
The crux of the Foxton run begins about 20 feet from the put-in. The Boulder Garden as it is popularly known is about 200 yards long. It is a maze of passages and small drops between granite boulders. You may want to walk down from the put-in to scout.
Following the Boulder Garden, there are a couple miles of not very fun flatwater (some people just drive up to the Boulder Garden to run it separately). The flatwater ends near the fork in the road and the rapids start again. Right at the T-intersection, you will find a surprisingly good set of playspots. The first feature is a wave/hole and the second is a low-water cartwheel hole. The top spot is pretty fun. You can carve, spin, and even blunt. Be warned, however, that the reason it is so sticky is that it is backed up by the rock that forms the cartwheel hole, so if you flip, tuck tight and roll quick.
Below this is a couple miles of fun rapids. There are some surprisingly sticky holes scattered throughout this section but nothing dangerous. Take out when the rapids end. You can paddle down to Waterton but it’s all pretty boring flatwater.
Flow Information:
250 is a bare minimum for fun. Anything less and you should continue down the road to Waterton. 350 is better- actually as much water as you can get is better. The flow on this stretch is never too high. The flow on the NF South Platte is largely artificial. Denver Water pumps water from Lake Dillon through Roberts Tunnel near the base of Kenosha Pass and dumps it in the NF above Bailey. The river can run any time from March to October and the flow can change from day to day. You just have to watch the flows. Also, there are frequently updates on expected flows on the mountainbuzz.com forum.
PS- The Foxton shuttle is definitely more dangerous than the run. The road is twisty with sharp turns and people drive fast. So take her easy and be safe.
Foxton Whitewater Kayaking ~850cfs from Nick Lamb on Vimeo.
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| Disclaimer |
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| | Put-In
Put in about two miles northeast of Buffalo Creek on 96 Road near Ferndale. | | | Take-Out
Numerous options for a take out exist downstream below the junction of 96 and 97 Road. |
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