Colorado white water rafting report June 21, 2011

Buena Vista, Colorado Arkansas river rafting report

Buena Vista, Colorado weather

 

Check out this video from our white water rafting trips Sunday June 19, 2011 on the Arkansas River

River Runners Riverside Rafting Resort in Buena Vista, Colorado

Buena Vista, Colorado white water rafting flows for the Arkansas River

Numbers Rafting trips: 2,520 Cubic feet per second (Must be less than 2,400 CFS to raft commercially )
Family Float Rafting trips: 2,520 Cubic feet per second
Browns Canyon Rafting trips:

    2,870 Cubic feet per second

h2>Canon City, Colorado Arkansas River rafting report

Canon City, Colorado weather
River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City, Colorado

Canon City, Colorado white water rafting flows for the Arkansas River

 

Royal Gorge Rafting trips: 3,160 Cubic feet per second

    • (Must be less than 3,200 CFS to raft commercially )

Bighorn Sheep Canyon Rafting trips

    • : 3,160 Cubic feet per second

 

Colorado white water rafting on the Arkansas River June 21, 2011

Happy first day of summer!

Today is the longest day of the year! You should be white water rafting in Colorado to celebrate. A crazy last day of spring here in Colorado. We woke to 6 inches of snow on top of the mountains. This will make this incredible Colorado white water rafting season a bit longer. The snow fall added to our snow pack that creates this incredible white water rafting. The white water rafting will be great until August 15, 2011 maybe even longer.

6 inches of snow fell in Colorado

The cold weather slowed down the flow of the Arkansas River today. The Arkansas River has dropped about 500 Cubic feet per second. This will not last long. This was just due to the cold spell yesterday. Today is warm and a great day to go white water rafting. I expect the Arkansas River to rise throughout the day today. Be sure to book your Colorado white water rafting trip soon.

Colorado Events

This weekend was filled with great music at FIBARK a white water festival in Salida, Colorado. The next event in Salida Colorado is a roller derby match June 23, 2011. The Ark Valley High Rollers – All female flat track home team bout. Banana Belt-Herz vs. Hurt of the Rockies. Chaffee County Fairgrounds 6:00 PM doors open / 7:00 PM bout Entry fee $5.00 or free with school supply donation for Chaffee County Youth.  River Runners supports our all female flat track roller derby team! One of our staff members “Smasher to Smithereens” AKA Carrie Smith is on the team. Call 800-723-8987 and ask for Smasher and she will recommend the best rafting trip for your group.

4,100+ people rafted with River Runners before the first day of Summer 2011

As of today River Runners has taken about 4,100 people white water rafting on the Arkansas River. All successful white water rafting trips. The high white water has been challenging, but it has made our rafting guides strong from taking so many people white water rafting this spring. Now that summer is here it will get very busy. I would recommend white water rafting in Colorado on weekdays. Saturdays are very busy from the Colorado locals rafting with River Runners. Be sure to arrive early and plan to stay late to enjoy our Riverside Grill in Buena Vista, Colorado. Soak in Mt. Princeton Hot Springs after your white water rafting trip. All rafting guests will receive discount tickets to these incredible Colorado hot springs. If you are rafting in Canon City at the River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center be sure to take advantage of  our discount tickets to the Royal Gorge Bridge and park.

Cool off White Water Rafting in Colorado

It is getting hot all across the country. Come to Colorado and cool off white water rafting. Book your Colorado white water rafting trip 30 days prior and save on your rafting trip. River Runners offers a military discount of 15% off your entire Colorado white water rafting reservation.

Current age restrictions for white water rafting trips on the Arkansas River

As of this date, June 21, 2011, current age minimums for River Runners white water rafting trips on the Arkansas River are as follows:

Family Float

    • (class I-II): Minimum age is 4

Browns Canyon

    • (class III-IV): Minimum age is 8

Narrows/Browns Canyon Marathon

    • (26 miles of class III-IV): Minimum age is 14

Bighorn Sheep Canyon including Three Rocks

    • (class III-IV): Minimum age is 14

Bighorn Sheep Canyon – Lone Pine Launch

    (class III-IV): Minimum age is 8

Although it is appropriate for children and people with some physical disabilities to go white water rafting on the Arkansas River in June, it is important that you know your limits and discuss age and/or physical limitations with a River Runners white water professional.

What to wear on your Colorado white water rafting trip on the Arkansas River in June

Air temperatures in Buena Vista, Salida and Canon City, Colorado have been in the mid-80s to mid-90s, but water temperatures on the Arkansas River are between 48 and 54 degrees (f), depending on whether you are rafting on the upper or lower sections. Splash tops, wetsuits and booties are highly recommended and available for rent at any Colorado white water rafting company – including River Runners. Cotton is not an appropriate layer for white water rafting, but fleece, neoprene, wool and polypro are recommended. These items can be stowed in your guide’s dry bag on full days, as air temperatures can go from hot to cool over the course of the day if afternoon clouds roll in over the mountains.

River Runners – The White Water Professionals

Our white water rafting guides have been rafting on the Arkansas River every day this year since May 1, and our trainees have logged more than 125 hours and more than 450 miles on the Arkansas River since May 23 (more than double the requirements of Colorado State Parks). Some of our senior guides have been rafting for more than 20 years and many more have guided for at least 10 years, so you can expect experience on every River Runners Colorado white water rafting trip.