Upper Animas
One Day Needleton Section
About This Trip
Conquer non-stop Colorado whitewater with continuous Class II and III rapids with intermittent Class IV and two Class V rapids. Creeks and streams cascade into the river as you continuously paddle through awesome whitewater. Travel by the Durango & Silverton historic narrow-gauge railroad into the heart of Colorado’s largest wilderness area to access and depart for this adventure. This is the friendlier section of the Upper Animas, but all participants must be strong swimmers and able to paddle while the boat bounces, spins, and submerges. This is a high adventure trip from May – mid-June and a great advanced intermediate trip from late June – late July! Upper Animas River rafting Needleton section trips starting at $449.00
The only way to make the Upper Animas better is by staying at our semi-permanent camp for a night in the wilderness and under the stars on the Upper Animas Two Day trip!
Season
Late May – Early August
Class of Rapids
High Water: IV & V with continuous II & III
Low Water: Continuous, technical II & III with IV+
High to Intermediate Adventure
Meet Time
9:30 AM
Return
6:00 PM
Boat Options
Standard Rafts
15 foot self-bailing rafts rigged as an oar boat with paddle assist. Be ready to paddle and swim on your pre-trip orientation!
Ages 16+ until late June
Ages 14+ late June through the end of season
New Flexible Payment & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Cancellation Policy
A 90% refund is issued for cancellations received in writing 48 hours prior to trip departure.
If you do not pass your orientation, we will charge $250 per person for the train ticket and orientation fee. Those who do not pass are still welcome to ride the train.
If it is determined that the Upper Animas is not the right trip for you, we will arrange for you to go on a better suited river and give you the nonrefundable train ticket, but there will be no refunds.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 8% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).
Itinerary
DAY BEFORE ITINERARY
5:15 PM
Check into our office to get fitted for your thermal wetsuit gear and go on the orientation raft trip where you will take your practice swim in a Class II+ to III+ rapid.
DAY 1 ITINERARY
9:30 AM
Meet at our Main Office in Durango.
Shuttle to Rockwood station to board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Descend from the train and get suited up for the river.
Hit the river! Enjoy continuous Class III rapids as a warm up. Scout “Broken Bridge”, a Class V rapid, and run it! Hit more continuous Class III rapids.
Stop for lunch, a delicious deli-style spread.
Hurry back to the river for even more Class III rapids. Scout and run “Tank Creek” rapid. Run your final Class IV rapids, “Specter” & “The Narrows.”
Arrive at the Tacoma Power Station, take out and de-rig boats for the train ride back. Board the train and relax as you take in the sites of the Rockwood Gorge.
Arrive at the Rockwood station, and shuttle back to Durango.
6:00PM
Arrive back at our office around 6:00 PM.
* Please note that all itineraries are subject to change due to river conditions.
Trip Map
