Wild and inaccessible, the Upper Animas features some of the most challenging whitewater you’ll ever raft. We run a Class IV & V 24 mile stretch from Silverton, CO and take out at the Tacoma Power Plant just before the Rockwood Gorge. The starting point in Silverton is at 9,300 feet making it the highest commercial launch in the United States! The one day trip covers half of the 24 miles while the two day trip gets it all. Three day trips give you a lay over day in our wilderness camp on the border of the Weminuche Wilderness, 3rd largest in the U.S. Later in the summer at lower water levels the 1 and 2 day trips become Class III & IV, or try the Class IV & V Rockwood Gorge. The average drop is 80′ per mile with some sections dropping 120′ per mile! For reference, the Colorado River through Grand Canyon drops 10′ per mile. As an added bonus, our shuttle is the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The Upper Animas is renowned worldwide as a superb, challenging & scenic river. The whitewater is awesome highlighted by the challenge of Ten Mile, No Name and Broken Bridge Rapids. 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 below to qualify for these trips.
Groups of 10 or more qualify for our group rates.
Please bring completed Liability releases
This classic trip includes a shuttle on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad into the heart of the largest wilderness area in the state of Colorado, the Weminuche. The incredibly challenging rapids with very continuous stretches make this one of the premier trips in the U.S. The one day trip gets you down half of the Upper Animas, the two day gets you all 24 miles. When the water levels drop later in the summer, the very difficult class V Upper Animas rapids become more like technical class III & IV rapids. Outstanding, challenging, breathtaking, the definition of world class. $229/person includes train fare. NOTE: Required meeting and gear fitting the evening before at 5:00 PM. When Class IV & V minimum age is 16. When Class III & IV minimum age is 14. Make your reservation today!
This trip is the whole 24 mile enchilada! World Class stunning rapids on day 1 include Ten Mile and No Name Rapids with a continuous stretch of whitewater dropping at over 120′ per mile. A riverside deli lunch will be had before we stop for the night at the half way point in Camp Needleton. Our deluxe river camp has all the amenities and gives you access to the Weminuche Wilderness through Chicago Basin. Hike, fish or just relax while the guides impress you with their culinary skill and their tales around the camp fire. After a hearty breakfast in the morning you will continue down the river running Broken Bridge Rapid and catching the train for the ride home. World Class and beyond compare! Later in the summer this same trip can be run at lower water levels which bring its rating down to Class III & IV. $479/person and includes train fare. NOTE: Required meeting and gear fitting the evening before at 5:00 PM. When Class IV & V minimum age is 16. When Class III & IV minimum age is 14. Make your reservation today!
A 3-day trip is available where we layover in Needleton, a beautiful and remote section of the Weminuche Wilderness. This extra day allows you time to hike, explore, fish or just relax in the largest wilderness area in Colorado. $619/person includes train fare. NOTE: Required meeting and gear fitting the evening before at 5:00 PM. When Class IV & V minimum age is 16. When Class III & IV minimum age is 14. Make your reservation today!
In late summer at lower water levels we offer a trip through the Rockwood Gorge which lies 400′ below the “High Line” section of the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We will ride the train into the Upper Animas Canyon where we will start the trip with paddle rafts. The tension rises as you pass the Tacoma Power Plant where most raft trips end. Once you pass under the railroad bridge there is no turning back as you challenge Rockwood’s first rapid, Mandatory Thrashing. Fortunately the river is not continuous whitewater like above, but pull drop in nature giving each raft a chance to regroup. At one point the river is less than 15′ wide and has over a dozen rapids which would be named on a lesser run. At the take out above the impassible gorge we will hike out a half mile and up over 400 feet, with all of our gear, rafts included. Needless to say, y’all best be in good shape for this one. If you’ve already done the tourist thing on other rivers, step up to the Rockwood Gorge for a one of a kind thrill! $249/person includes train fare. NOTE: Required meeting and gear fitting the evening before at 5:00 PM. Minimum age is 16. Make your reservation today!
When the water is high and the crew is strong (we are very selective for this trip) the appropriate crew can run all of the Class IV & V rapids in one long challenging day. Prior experience is required so that we know that you know what you are getting into. $339/person includes train fare. NOTE: Required meeting and gear fitting the evening before at 5:00 PM. Minimum age is 16. Make your reservation today!
We have rentals available: wetsuits $25/day, sleeping bags/pads $10/night, and tents $10/night.
