San Juan National Forest
Rumor has it… When GOD takes a vacation, he goes to a Colorado Wilderness!
Operating under permit in the San Juan National Forest.
San Juan National Forest's Weminuche Wilderness near Durango, Colorado
Size: 492,418 Acres
Elevation: 8,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level
Miles of trails: 475
More than half a million acres in size, the Weminuche Wilderness is Colorado's largest wilderness. As might be expected, the area contains the headwaters of dozens of major streams and rivers, feeding both the Rio Grande and Animas Rivers, two of the Southwest's most ecologically and culturally significant waterways.
The Weminuche's great size encompasses broad and diverse environments: cascading rivers swollen with snowmelt that makes for some of the best Class V rafting and kayaking in the world.; immense glacial valleys; windswept ridges of the Continental Divide; and the seemingly unreachable summits of skyscraping granite, crags that cast magical reflections in alpine pools at dawn's soft light.
Mountain Waters Rafting now offers a special 3-Day Class V Rafting Adventure that features a layover day at Needleton in the heart of the largest wilderness in the state of Colorado. Our 3-Day guests use the layover day to hike, fish, explore, or just rest in the heart of the of the Weminuche Wilderness. The food is as outstanding as the company. Our 3-Day trips are scheduled for July 5-7 and July 11-13, 2008. Price is $550 per person. Book it now!!
The Upper Animas River Gorge cuts through the westernmost segment of the wilderness, beneath the distinctive metamorphic peaks of the West Needle Mountains. Three 14,000-foot peaks dot the area. Thousands of tourists annually marvel at the area's beauty from the clacking cars of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which parallels the river, climbing precipitously to the walls of the narrow canyon. The Continental Divide runs through the heart of the area for approximately 80 miles.
Wild and inaccessible, the Upper Animas River features some of the most challenging whitewater you'll ever raft. We run a 28 mile stretch just below Silverton, and take out just before the Animas Gorge gets too hairy for any craft. The launch is at over 9,000 feet, (the highest commercial launch in the lower 48 states.) and this trip continues for 28 miles and 2 days (the only 2 day class IV - V trip in the U. S). The average drop is 85' per mile with some sections dropping 150' per mile! As an added bonus, we shuttle out on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The whitewater is awesome (28 miles of Class IV and V rated rapids, on a scale to VI), as snowcapped peaks tower overhead. The flora and fauna are spectacular, and the rugged mining and railroad history of the canyon unfolds before you. You must be in top physical shape and pass the physical fitness described here.
Our normal 2-day trip includes a shuttle from Durango, catarafts and self bailing rafts, experienced guides, meals, technical gear and D&SNG train fare back to Durango. Bring your personal gear and boating clothes. Wet suits are available for rent ($25 per day). Upper Animas prices are $550/person (3-day), $395/person (2-day) and $195/person (1-day). Three-day trip is July 5-7 and July 11-13, 2008. Two-Day trips are available mid-May through mid-August for either Sat/Sun or Wed/Thurs of each week.
Book Your Reservations Today!
Rafting, like all other outdoor activities, is inherently dangerous. By participating in Mountain Waters Rafting activities, you will be assuming those risks. As such, all participants will be required to sign a release of liability before undertaking any activity with Mountain Waters Rafting, Inc.
