Colorado River

Section 6 - Rifle to Rulison

You can launch at the boat ramp at the Rifle bridge (shown above) or you can put-in at the rest area a short way down stream.  The run from Rifle to Rulison is a gem for its features and scenery.  There is one class II/III rapid and a couple of rock gardens that add variety to the run.  The river twists and turns and offers a choice of channels.  Initially the river parallels the Interstate, but after it departs it is no longer intrusive.  If you've never made this run, try it, you'll like it.   The take-out at Rulison is second rate.  Go all the way to the Una-parachute Road Take-out if you have time.  It's an additional 13 miles of river travel.

Put in:

Put in at the boat ramp at the bridge that crosses the river to Rifle.  It is also possible to put-in at the I-70 rest area.  The rest area has the advantage of having rest rooms.  There are no restrooms are at the boat ramp.  Also bored, young people like to hangout in this area making it less desirable.

Take out:

To take out at Rulison, follow Frontage Road on north side of river and turn at Rulison sign.  Take-out is on north east corner of bridge and river.  This take-out is not great so you might want to consider using Parachute or Una-Parachute Road as your take-out.

Length:

• Rifle to Rulison  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 miles
• Rulison to Parachute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 miles
• Parachute to Una-Parachute Road . . . . .  5 miles
• Una-Parachute Rd to Debeque Take-out  7 miles

River Rating:

Class I/II

Features:

Streamflow for Colorado River below Glenwood