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Numbers

Run Length	5 miles	Average Gradient	71 fpm
Difficulty	Class IV	Recommended Flow	300-3500 cfs
River	Arkansas River	Location	Buena Vista, Colorado
Author		Current Level
Drainage	Arkansas	Elevation	8580ft to 8230ft

#3 Rapid on The Numbers

Paddler: John Torke Photographer: T.J Kelly

The Numbers is the quintessential class IV run in Colorado. Starting well over 8,000 feet this technical, narrow and rocky section cascades through one of the most beautiful alpine canyons in Colorado. There are six named rapids in The Numbers, numbered from 1 to 6. Between the named rapids are plenty of class III rapids to keep everyone busy.

The action starts at Number One, the most technical rapid of the run. It is a veritable slalom course around boulders and holes. Rapids Four and Five usually give boaters the most trouble. Number Four presents its problems in the form of perhaps the pushiest rapid of the run. Trying to avoid the crashing holes at the crux of the upper section is the trick here. Down the middle with a ready brace to catch and then steer you away from the corners of these holes usually works: it's pretty hard to avoid them completely. After manuevering past the holes, you must steer left to avoid the entrance to a diversion ditch. The rocky sides of the heart of Number Five are the places on this run I most want to avoid, though an eddy on the right after the small falls-type drop, and just upstream of the gnarl, provides a landing and launching zone to a controlled run.

Plenty of rock gardens to hone in your technical paddling skills. Above 3000 cfs the run takes on a big water feel, beware of massive holes and hydraulics.

Private property is a touchy subject in these parts so proceed at your own risk.

Flow information:
Low: 600 - 1,000 cfs
Med: 1,000 - 2,200 cfs
High: 2,200 cfs and up
Disclaimer

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	Put-In Take Highway 24 mile 199.9 where a dirt road turns down to the river and Scott's Bridge. Before crossing the bridge turn left headed upstream for about a mile along a road that runs between the river and the railroad tracks. A fee is required for using the State Park's launch.
	# 5 Class IV- Normal line is take the right chute and then move to the middle
	Take-Out Take Highway 24 south to mile 201.5 and turn off onto County Road 371. Cross the river and bear right headed downstream along river left. At this point you are now directly next to rapid #5 which is on the downstream side of the bridge. Continuing on down the road you will find a couple of alternative public access sites. For the full run, it's 3.3 miles down this road to the Railroad Bridge access which also has a couple of camp sites.

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	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.