State Bridge to Dotsero

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    The State Bridge to Doterso run is about 45 miles.   Trough Road parallels the river.  A railroad also parallels the river most of the way.  There are six BLM maintained access points to the river on this stretch so you can modify the length of your trip.  The fishing is considered to be excellent on this entire run.  BLM campgrounds are also available at several of the access points.  Compared to the weekend boating crowds on Pumphouse to State Bridge, this run will seem like wilderness.  There are not as many rapids as the Pumphouse to State Bridge run, but the rapids are significant enough to warrant a Class II+ rating.  Intermediate level paddling skills recommended.

An article about More River Access, history and developments for this section of river

Upper Colorado River Brochure from BLM
   
pdf file 2773 KB download

Eagle County Overview of New Developments including boating access for this section of river

RMCC discussion about this section of river

State Bridge to Catamount:

Distance:  16.2 miles

Rating:  Class I - II

Float time:  4 - 6 hours

(click on small images)

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BLM sign at Catamount

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View of State Bridge (Highway 131 & Colorado River)

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Colorado River between State Bridge and Catamount

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Catamount Recreation Site

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Catamount to Burns:

Distance: 4.9 miles

Rating:  Class I-II 

Float time:  2 hrs

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Burns to Derby Creek:

Distance:  1.5 miles

Rating:  Class I-II (includes Rodeo Rapid which might be a Class III) 

Float time:  2 - 3 hours

Click here for Windows Media Player 3.7MB video of Rodeo Rapid

Upstream Portage

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or RUN IT !!

(some maneuvering required)

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Downstream Portage

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Derby Creek to Pinball:

Distance: 2.6 miles

Rating:  Class I-II

Float time:  1 - 2 hours

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Pinball to Cottonwood:

Distance:  13.8 miles

Rating:  Class II

Float time:  6 - 9 hours

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Click here for Windows Media Player video 4.7 MB of Pinball Rapid

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Cottonwood to Lyons Gulch:

Distance:  2.2 miles

Rating: Class I-II

Float time: 1 to 2 hours

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Lyons Gulch to Dotsero

Distance:  3.8 miles

Rating:  Class I-II

Float time:  1 to 2 hours

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Video of new Dotsero Boat Landing