Upper Animas

The Upper Animas is a Colorado classic. Clear COLD water running through 26 miles of wilderness served by only a historic train. While this run has a reputation for being dangerous due to several high water flush drownings, it can be downright relaxing at lower water. At lower flows (under 2000 cfs at Durango) the in-between is Class III while the main drops remain quality Class IV. We ran the Upper A with raft support during a June cold spell when the level was 700 at Silverton and 1500 at Durango. The photos here are from that trip.

Tenmile rapid.

Other raft in No Name, which is the hardest rapid on the run (including the Rockwood Box).

The author in the entrance to No Name.

Roger in No Name.

While we were a little disapointed in the lower water for our trip, it turned out to be a pretty good thing when one of our rafts flipped in Rockwood, which would have been a big problem at high flows. Overall, this run at lower flows would be a great choice for adventurous Class III-IV types with a good roll, and I am always surprised that more people don't take advantage of it. Hopefully I will get some high water pics next year...