NSV Proving Grounds

The Proving Grounds is a short canyon section of lower North Saint Vrain Creek. It has two IV+ to V rapids and some boogie rapids in between. We had about 210 cfs. This seemed like the lower end of doability. I would want at least 50 more cfs before I do it again. The first rapid is the biggest. Marty scouts the burly/seive center line:



Darren runs the top portion of the right line.



The second rapid is by far the high point of the run. Its twisy, turny, fast, and fun. Darren in the second half of the rapid:



Towards the end of the run, a local landowner has chopped down a large tree across the river forming death trap for boaters. It will be even more dangerous with higher water. He has been apprised of the situation and his response is the yellow caution sign on the tree. This sign is apparently designed to give a paddler 2-3 seconds of warning before he or she is stuffed under the log.



Dr. Booth explains how the log is not really a hazard for kayakers who are less than 14 inches tall. Note the freshly cut stump.