Spencer Heights
EddyFlower - Kayaking information for the addicted.EddyFlower - Kayaking information for the addicted.
Spencer Heights
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Run Length 2.4 miles Average Gradient 162 fpm
Difficulty Class V Recommended Flow 3.0 - 4.0 ft
River Cache la Poudre River Location Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
Author Paul Hemming Current Flow & Weather
171 cfs
N/A
Drainage Cache la Poudre Elevation 8440ft to 8045ft
 
Spencer Heights is an amazing run. Road parrallels the river so accessibility is easy. The first mile of this run is mellow class III-IV read and run. The first sizeable rapid comes up fast behind a blind corner (Blind Rapid), at lower flows you can catch an eddy on river left to take peak, at higher flows that eddy doesn't exist so be prepared to run it or to catch a micro eddy just around the corner. River right is manky so consider taking the beefy center line just left of the big rock in the middle. Definitely boats easier than it looks. When the river takes a big turn you'll come up fast on Rocket Launcher. Get out to scout or portage river right when you see a large house-sized rock splitting the current. Rocket Launcher has what it takes to deliver a solid beat down, however, many do run this rapid. Not too far down stream is Poudre Falls, you have plenty of time to catch one of many eddies river right, however the overwhelming feeling of possibly missing an eddy will drive you to eddy out way before Poudre Falls. Relax and enjoy the class IV section, worst case their is a huge eddy river right just before the falls. As you walk by the three falls you will be bummed that lethal third drop exists. A few hair boaters have run all three, but it is on a very rare occasion. The first two drops look amazing, could be the perfect park-n-huck if someone blew up the third. Immediately following the third falls is a sweet seal launch into the gorge. Just following the launch you'll come up to a beefy drop (Gorge Drop), just run it down the gut. You'll come too one more solid rapid (Pillow Rapid) before crossing under Highway 14. Directly after the bridge is Boneyard, this is a long rapid, at the very bottom right is an undercut, it will draw you too her so hug the left line. For the next 1/2 mile you are in a narrow gorge, there are a few Class V drops in here. Watch out for wood, it has a tendency to wedge between the narrow walls. After the gorge you have two more fun class V rapids before the takeout. Don't snooze, the river will appear to be mellowing out before these rapids.

Roadside put-in, roadside take-out, and only one portage around Poudre Falls. The portage isn't mandatory but your sick in the head if you choose to run Poudre Falls.

Flow Information:
- Low: 500-800 cfs
- Med: 800-1300 cfs
- High: 1300 cfs and up
Rocket Launcher
www.merelyafleshwound.com
Paddler:Jason Roberts   Photographer:Alex Henes
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