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Bill Dvorak's Kayak/Raft Expeditions |
800-824-3795 |
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Echo Canyon River Expeditions |
800-748-2953 |
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Peregrine River Outfitters |
800-598-7600 |
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Telluride Outside |
800-831-6230 |
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| Section |
Placerville
to Naturita Power Plant |
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Location |
San
Miguel and Montrose counties, northwest of Telluride, southwest
Colorado |
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Driving Time |
Grand
Junction—3 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class
II-III |
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Trip Length |
7
and 14 miles (11 and 22 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft, oar raft; half-day and one day |
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Season |
May-July |
The San Miguel River, a
major tributary of the Dolores, starts high in the San Juan
Mountains near the popular resort town of Telluride and flows
northwest, without any major falls or rapids, to the Dolores some 70
miles (112 km) downstream. The constant dropping, creates fairly
continuous Class II-III whitewater action. Rafters are asked to help
paddle the oar-guided raft when technical maneuvers are required.
Most
half- and one-day rafting trips begin below Placerville, some 25
miles (40 km) northwest of Telluride. Each morning and afternoon
from late May until mid-August, virtually the whole family can enjoy
the easy 7-mile (11 km) Class II-III trip. For those want a longer
river experience, a 14-mile (22-km) one-day trip that continues
through the wilderness of Norwood Canyon is also available.
Wildlife
along the San Miguel is plentiful. Guests are frequently treated to
sights of eagles, hawks, dippers, stellar jays, deer, elk, and bare.
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