Upper Animas Three Day

CLICK on the video to see the Animas in action!
Season: Late May – Early August
Class: High Water: Class IV & V with continuous Class II and III

Low Water: Continuous, technical Class II & III with Class IV+ rapids
 Meet Time: Designated by guides

3 Day Upper Animas River White Water Adventure

Truly disconnect from cell phones and email on our 3 Day trip into the Upper Animas River Canyon. You will challenge 2 days of continuous Class II and III with intermittent Class IV and Class V rapids and you’ll get a day to yourself to reflect on the beauty surrounding you! The second day of the trip is for you to explore the Weminuche Wilderness where you can fish, hike and explore in the remote Colorado Wilderness. All of your meals, starting with lunch on day 1 and ending with lunch on day 3 are included and prepared for you and you will get to spend your evenings in our established campsite. At high water, this trip is considered extreme.

Standard Rafts
15 foot self-bailing rafts rigged as oar boats with paddle assist. Be ready to paddle and swim on your pre-trip orientation! Age: 16 & up
Adventure: Wild
Cost: $675* per person
 

*Additional River/Land Access Fees not included

Itinerary

  • 5:15 pm Evening Prior: 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 of Trip: Meet at our main office at the time your guides designated at the orientation.
  • Shuttle to Silverton, Colorado via the Million Dollar Skyway.
  • Suit up for your river trip! Wetsuits and Booties are required all season and are available for rent.
  • Hit the river!
  • Warm up in the “Animas Gorge” with continuous Class III rapids.
  • Scout and Run “Ten Mile” rapid, your first Class V of the day!
  • Stop for a deli-style riverside lunch.
  • Hurry back to the river for more continuous Class III rapids.
  • Scout “No Name” rapid and run it, if you dare!
  • More continuous Class III rapid fun.
  • Arrive at our semi-permanent Needleton Camp.
  • Relax, hike and/or fish while our guides become your gourmet chefs and start to prepare your dinner!
  • Enjoy the night in the true Colorado Wilderness.
  • Wake up to fresh brewed coffee and a filling breakfast.
  • Head out for a hike or see what you can catch in a secret fishing hole!
  • Lunch back in camp
  • Hike to Old Miner’s cabin or find another fishing hole.
  • Relax in camp with a game of horseshoes while your guides prepare your delicious dinner!
  • Share stories around the camp fire.
  • Sleep out in the peaceful quiet of the Colorado high country.
  • Wake up to another hearty breakfast and get ready to raft!
  • Hit the river!
  • Enjoy continuous Class III rapids as a warm up for your second day of rafting!
  • Scout “Broken Bridge,” a Class V rapid, and run it!
  • Hit more continuous Class III rapids.
  • Take a break for a hearty riverside lunch.
  • Get back on the river for even more Class III rapids.
  • Scout & run “Tank Creek.”
  • Run your final Class IV rapids, “Specter” and “The Narrows.”
  • Arrive at the Tacoma Power Station, take out & de-rig boats for the train ride out of the canyon.
  • Board the train and relax as you take in the sights of the Rockwood Gorge.
  • Arrive at the Rockwood Station, and shuttle back to Durango.
  • Arrive back at our Durango office at approximately 6:00 PM.

Check Out These Helpful Links:
* Please note that all itineraries are subject to change due to river conditions.