Colorado whitewater - Crystal River, Pitkin County

Pitkin county, Penny Hot Springs to Avalanche Creek section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.

 

CLASS IV-V     2.1 miles
  The scenic beauty of Colorado and the cool fresh water have people coming here. The Penny Hot Springs to Avalanche Creek stretch of Crystal River in Pitkin County is 2.1 miles long and has been rated as a class IV-V section by American Whitewater. The sections for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in Colorado are often more challenging than in other states, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that lots of rivers here are not for beginners. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but you'd
    better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. There are plenty of other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well. This is a pretty short section so you'd better be prepared to walk your kayak back to put-in a few times. And of course, there are
campgrounds nearby. Great exercise and just hanging out with mother nature have people coming from far and near. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way in this general area you'll find lots of paddling rivers.

Briefly about the general area:
Crystal River is a location that is relatively dry regularly; most of the rain falls during October, and the driest month is February. A short trip to Penny Hot Springs is always worthwhile.
Summertime highs at Crystal River mostly tend to be in the 80's.
 
Throughout the dark hours of summer temperatures descend down into the 50's. Daytime highs throughout the wintertime are in the 30's, and during the dark hours in the wintertime at Crystal River temperatures dip to the 0's.

Crystal River, Penny Hot Springs to Avalanche Creek road map
Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.

QUICK STATS
AW Class: IV-V
Length: 2.1 miles
Average Gradient: 95 fpm
  
Putin Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 39.21409
Longitude: -107.2261

Takeout Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 39.24689
Longitude: -107.2336

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Current weather conditions at Crystal River, Colorado
WXPort

Local climate location: GLENWOOD SPRINGS 6 miles away


RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS

There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river.

Carbondale-Days Inn, Carbondale
10 miles away
Days Inn of Carbondale is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains located on the banks of the Roaring Fork River. For winter travelers we are only twenty-eight miles from the best skiing in the world: As...

Comfort Inn & Suites, Carbondale
10 miles away
Between Aspen and Vail. Excellent mountain views. FREE Atkins friendly continental breakfast available. Indoor pool. Suites with microwave and refrigerators available. Close to golfing, rafting and sk...

Sunlight Mountain Inn, Glenwood Springs
14 miles away
Sunlight Mountain Inn is a twenty room Colorado Style Country Inn located at the base of Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Inn is a scenic twenty minute(10 mile) drive from d...



OTHER_INFO
  All Colorado Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Colorado.
Books about whitewater paddling on Crystal River, Colorado
List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Crystal River, Colorado.
Find a whitewater outfitter in Colorado

Whitewater Basics
If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info.
Outdoors Recreation Near Edwards, Colorado
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Edwards, Colorado, the metro area neareast to Crystal River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
 

   

OUTDOORS
These outdoors activities are available near Crystal River.
 Whitewater Near Crystal River:
Crystal River, Pitkin/Gunnison County , 2 miles away, Class V+ - 2 miles long (Redstone to Penny Hot Springs)
Crystal River, Pitkin County , 2 miles away, Class III - 4.8 miles long (Avalanche Creek to B.R.Campground)
Crystal River, Pitkin/ Gunnison County , 6 miles away, Class III-IV - 3 miles long (Marble to Redstone)
Crystal River - South Fork, Gunnison County , 9 miles away, Class V+ - 0.25 miles long (Schofield Pass to Crystal)
Crystal River, Gunnison County , 10 miles away, Class V+ - 1.8 miles long (Road to Crystal to Beaver Lake)
Yule Creek, Pitkin County , 10 miles away, Class V+ - 1.3 miles long (Bible Camp to Crystal River)
Crystal River, Gunnison County , 12 miles away, Class III-IV(V) - 3 miles long (Crystal Mill Falls to Crystal Gorge)
Crystal River - North Fork, Gunnison County , 13 miles away, Class V+ - 0.65 miles long (to scree slope)
Roaring Fork, Eagle County , 16 miles away, Class III+ - 4.4 miles long (Seven Castles to Basalt 7-11)
Roaring Fork, Pitkin/Garfield County , 16 miles away, Class II+(III) - 6.2 miles long (Black Bridge to Veltus Park)
 Ski Areas Near Crystal River:
Sunlight Mountain, Colorado , 12 miles away, 2010 vertical feet
Crested Butte, Colorado , 25 miles away, 3062 vertical feet
Buttermilk, Colorado , 26 miles away, 2030 vertical feet
Aspen Highlands, Colorado , 26 miles away, 3635 vertical feet
Irwin Lodge, Colorado , 27 miles away, 2100 vertical feet
Aspen Mountain, Colorado , 28 miles away, 3267 vertical feet
Snowmass, Colorado , 31 miles away, 4406 vertical feet
Beaver Creek, Colorado , 53 miles away, 4040 vertical feet
Vail, Colorado , 63 miles away, 3450 vertical feet
Powderhorn, Colorado , 64 miles away, 1650 vertical feet
 Hotels Near Crystal River:
Carbondale-Days Inn, Carbondale , 10 miles away
Comfort Inn & Suites, Carbondale , 10 miles away
Sunlight Mountain Inn, Glenwood Springs , 14 miles away
Frontier Lodge, Glenwood Springs , 17 miles away
Cedar Lodge, Glenwood Springs , 17 miles away
 Camp Grounds Near Crystal River:
Janeway Campground, Pitkin County, 1 miles away
Osgood Campground, Pitkin County, 1 miles away
Avalanche Campground, Pitkin County, 2 miles away
 Trails Near Crystal River:
Munsey Ruby Stock Driveway, Gunnison County , 14 miles away
Blue Creek Trail, Eagle County , 16 miles away
 National Parks Near Crystal River:
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Gunnison - CO , 60 miles away
Curecanti National Recreation Area, Gunnison - CO , 60 miles away

Outdoors related information copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. - Detailed hotel information copyright © Interactive Hotel Solutions
Some content, including Reach Name, Class, and Length, comes from American Whitewater