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The Piedra is a beautiful remote wilderness run through two main canyons the Upper and Lower canyons.
The Upper Canyon starts out mellow and passes under a huge rock overhang with water running over. Plenty mellow water, too much I’d say. Then comes a few minor rapids, then onto two pushy rapids. The first rapid is a long and steep section. The second is a short and steep S-turn with a big hole river left.
The Lower Canyon has three notable rapids. The first is steep cascade with a pour over river right and a fast tongue through a hole to a rock river left. Next is the First Mudslide rapid that has two boulders that you should avoid. Then comes Second Mudslide Drop. The river constricts and pours head on into a huge boulder in the center of the river followed by a technical section with a river wide strainer. Consider portaging the top of half of Second Mudslide, ferry across to river left and run the technical boulder section to avoid the river wide strainer river right. Both Mudslide rapids can be scouted from river right.
The piedra usually flows early in the spring and the window is short. Usually peaking during the second half of May.
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| Disclaimer |
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| | Put-In
To reach the put-in, drive to Piedra River Road on the West side of Pagosa Springs at the top of the hill on highway 160. Turn North. Follow the Piedra Road for 16 miles till you reach the river. | | | Take-Out
First Fork Bridge |
Add Rapid
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