Raft World Class Upper Animas
New 2012 Photos of the Upper Animas River on Facebook
World Class Upper Animas Rafting Adventure
Having run rivers for 17 years from Alaska to Costa Rica and coast to coast in the United States it is my humble opinion that the Upper Animas is truly World Class. When the river is near its peak flow it is easily one of the premier whitewater adventures in the United States if not the world. Later in the season the intensity decreases dramatically and is suitable for anyone with a sense of adventure. Mountain Waters Rafting has been running commercial trips on the Upper Animas since 1982. We are the pioneers and have an unmatched safety record. Our base camp at river mile 12, the Needleton Bar & Grill, was the first one established strictly for rafting which gave us the premier location and makes us the envy of all others. All Upper Animas trips make use of the historic 1881 Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a shuttle vehicle. Join us for a 1, 2 or 3 day adventure on the World Class Upper Animas!
Sincerely,
James Wilkes, owner, guide, cook, bus driver and office help
* ”Few rivers can match the Upper Animas for heart stopping whitewater action. In the 28 mile long Animas Gorge – a deep jagged slot carved through the ancient metamorphic bedrock of the San Juan Mountains – the river drops 2,450’. The scenery is among the finest in this guide…” Western Whitewater is a guide book which chronicles 160 rivers and over 400 runs in 12 western states published in 1994
* “Not to difficult, but difficult in places; long, but short enough to run in a day; wilderness, yet paralleled by the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail Road; the Upper Animas flows through the heart of the majestic San Juan Mountains. Overnights are common on this run just to prolong one’s immersion in the beautiful country. Enjoy the river: play it, work it, do a side hike up into the mountains surrounding it.” Colorado Rivers and Creeks is a guidebook which covers 160 runs in the state of Colorado published in 1999
* “As one of the few class IV+ runs in Colorado that has a big feel, the Upper Animas boasts spectacular scenery as it winds its way through 13,000’ peaks in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. At an impressive 27 miles the Upper A can be physically exhausting and mentally taxing.” Whitewater of the Southern Rockies is the new testament to class I-V+ covering over 332 runs in the 5 state area published in 2007
* “Having run whitewater from the holy Ganges in India to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, I learned long ago that every river has its own personality—but those river trips barely prepared me for this adventure. Dropping a stomach-curdling 80 feet per mile, the boulder-strewn Upper A is like a natural waterslide overflowing with rapids.” Gorp.com travel writer and adrenaline junkie Dan Oko shares his experiences rafting the white waters of Durango, Colorado’s Upper Animas River with Mountain Water Rafting published in 2012
1 Day Upper Animas Silverton Section
The Silverton Section of the Upper Animas is the stretch that includes the most difficult rapids on the river, 10 Mile Rapid and No Name Rapid. The trip starts at the highest commercial put-in in the U.S. at 9,300 in Silverton, Colorado and runs 12 miles to the Needleton Train Stop. When the river is thumping the outstanding scenery of the majestic San Juan Mountains will be the last thing on your mind, but later in the year it is the perfect compliment to the perfect river. On the left side of the river we are paralleled by the 3rd largest wilderness in the U.S. the Weminuche, and on the other side the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The incredibly challenging rapids with very continuous stretches make this one of the premier trips in the U.S. 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 and lunch. Required Orientation: Water level determines the Class of the Upper Animas. Class IV & V minimum age is 16. Class III & IV minimum age is 14. Orientation includes a 15 minute raft trip to determine clients physical ability and performance of self-rescue swim. Wetsuits are required. $25/day Rental includes wetsuit, booties and splash jacket. Make your reservation today!
1 Day Upper Animas Needleton Section
The Needleton Section of the Upper Animas starts at the Needleton Train Stop near our basecamp at river mile 12. This trip has continuous Class II & III whitewater highlighted by the stunning Class IV rapid Broken Bridge. Not to be taken lightly at peak run off, the Needleton Section is notably more relaxed and friendly than the Silverton Section. Also graced with outstanding scenery and the use of the historic 1881 Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, this stretch is more often than not suitable for families with children 14 and older with an adventurous approach. $229/person* includes train fare and lunch. Water level determines the Class of the Upper Animas. Class IV & V minimum age is 16. Class III & IV minimum age is 14. Wetsuits are required. $25/day Rental includes wetsuit, booties and splash jacket. Make your reservation today!
2 Day Upper Animas (Class IV & V May & June) (Class III & IV at lower water July & August)
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 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, 2 lunches, dinner and breakfast. Required Orientation: Water level determines the Class of the Upper Animas. Class IV & V minimum age is 16. Class III & IV minimum age is 14. Orientation includes a 15 minute raft trip to determine clients physical ability and performance of self-rescue swim. Wetsuits are required. $25/day Rental includes wetsuit, booties and splash jacket. Make your reservation today!
3 Day Upper Animas (Class IV & V May & June) (Class III & IV at lower water July & August)
This trip covers all 24 miles of the Upper Animas just like the 2 day with an additional day to layover in Camp 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 and lots of food! Required Orientation: Water level determines the Class of the Upper Animas. Class IV & V minimum age is 16. Class III & IV minimum age is 14. Orientation includes a 15 minute raft trip to determine clients physical ability and performance of self-rescue swim. Wetsuits are required. $25/day Rental includes wetsuit, booties and splash jacket. Make your reservation today!
1 Day Upper Animas Rockwood Gorge (Class IV & V July & August)
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 and lunch. Required Orientation: Water level determines the Class of the Upper Animas. We always consider the Rockwood Gorge Class IV & V and minimum age is 16. Orientation includes a 15 minute raft trip to determine clients physical ability and performance of self-rescue swim. Wetsuits are required. $25/day Rental includes wetsuit, booties and splash jacket. Make your reservation today!
Upper Animas Marathon Trip (ALWAYS Class IV & V May & June)
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 and lunch. Required Orientation: Water level determines the Class of the Upper Animas. We always consider the Upper Animas Marathon Class IV & V and minimum age is 16. Orientation includes a 15 minute raft trip to determine clients physical ability and performance of self-rescue swim. Wetsuits are required. $25/day Rental includes wetsuit, booties and splash jacket. Make your reservation today!
Upper Animas Requirements
Required orientation the evening before at 5:00 PM
- Water level determines the Class of the Upper Animas.
- Class IV & V minimum age is 16.
- Class III & IV minimum age is 14.
- Orientation includes a 15 minute raft trip to determine clients physical ability and performance of self-rescue swim.
- Wetsuits are required. $25 Rental includes wetsuit, booties and splash jacket.
Recommended Equipment
- Wetsuit, booties and gloves — REQUIRED – (available for rent, see below.)
- Shorts or swimsuit
- Shirts and underwear
- 1 pair of long pants Long Johns
- Wool socks, hat and gloves
- Shoes for around camp
- Long Sleeve T-shirt (good as a cover-up from the sun)
- Jacket and/or windbreaker
- Sunglasses with a safety strap
- Sunscreen, suntan lotion, hand lotion, and lip balm
- Insect repellent (Cutters or Deep Woods OFF)
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Biodegradable soap, wash cloth and towel
- Personal items: toothbrush and paste, facial tissue, medications, etc.
- Camera
- Extra beverages (liquor, wine, beer/wine coolers/sodas — all packed in unbreakable containers)
- Sleeping bag liner (optional)
We have rentals available: wetsuits $25/day, sleeping bags/pads $10/night, and tents $10/night.
Cancellation Policies
Guest Cancellation
- Full payment is required at time of reservation.
- 100% refund less a 10% fee for cancellations made 48hrs before the trip.
- Trips can be rescheduled at no cost if made 48hrs in advance.
- No refunds for cancellations made less than 48hrs prior to trip date.
- If you have qualified for a group discount, cancellations must be received 7 days prior to the trip’s scheduled departure.
Trip Cancellation by Mountain Waters Rafting
- A trip may be cancelled at any time for river safety reasons.
- Mountain Waters will not reimburse any travel costs.
*Prices do not include 5% river access fees
