Thank You Wilderness Aware Rafting!

Hello Joe & Katie,

Just wanted to let you know that I have posted our rafting video on our website and Youtube. I hope it meets with your approval. To be honest, it was very hard to convey just how great our experience was with Wilderness Aware.

- Patty Garner

Colorado Rafting Trip Spotlight: Arkansas River Rafting

The most popular river for white water rafting in the world is Colorado’s Arkansas River. It’s not difficult to see why. Located a mere 90 miles west of Colorado Springs and 120 miles southwest of Denver, the Arkansas River offers offers 95 miles of some of the best white water rafting in Colorado.

The Arkansas River is unique in its flow and length. Fed by snow melts from the mountains of central Colorado, the Arkansas River has some of the heaviest water flows of any river in Colorado, and roars down 5000 feet between its source near Leadville and the flat lands near Canon City, 125 miles away. The combination of the large, raftable river and significant drop in elevation makes the Arkansas ideal for river-rafting, but the scenery along river is equally spectacular. Cutting through the Sawatch Mountains, the Upper and Lower Bighorn Canyon, the Royal Gorge, and the canyon lands around Canon City, the Arkansas River offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado.

There are no fewer than five main areas for rafting along the Arkansas River, all with different levels of difficulty and intensity: which means that the Arkansas has something for everybody. Close to the uppermost raftable section of the river, near Leadville, the Numbers section of the Arkansas River offers some of the most exciting, extreme white water rafting in Colorado, featuring punishing drop after punishing drop through Class V rapids. Below the Numbers area is Brown’s Canyon, the most popular section of the Arkansas River, with a variety of Class III and IV rapids and incredible views of the Sawatch Mountains. Below Brown’s Canyon is the Upper and Lower Bighorn Canyon, the mildest section of the Arkansas River. The Bighorn Canyon’s Class I and II rapids are perfect for beginners and families. Below the Bighorn Canyon, the Arkansas River runs through the magnificent Royal Gorge, one of the best-known natural sites in Colorado. Royal Gorge Rafting features Class IV rapids under the shadow of one of America’s tallest canyons and the highest suspension bridge in the world.

For more information about Colorado white water rafting, or to schedule an Arkansas River rafting trip, visit inaraft.com.

*UPDATE: Colorado Rafting Open Through Labor Day

Due to high spring snowfall and an extended runoff season, river levels on most Colorado rivers remain well above average for late summer. In response to the excellent late-season river-rafting conditions, Wilderness Aware Rafting has extended its 2011 Colorado white water rafting season through September 5th.

When Colorado received a record amount of late Spring snowfall in April and May of 2011, there was some concern among white water rafting enthusiasts as to whether or not the 2011 Colorado rafting season would be any good or not. Flooding seemed inevitable, and a quick run-off would lead to a rapid transition from flooding to low water levels. Fortunately, temperatures stayed relative cool in the late spring and early summer run-off period, leading to extended runoff and ideal Colorado white water rafting conditions, particularly later in the season. In fact, according to Wilderness Aware CEO Joe Greiner, “July and August have seen the best white water rafting conditions in Colorado since 1995.”

This slow, steady runoff of a record amount of precipitation means that, while water levels have dropped well below their peak flows, they still remain well above average for mid-August. To take advantage of these the excellent river conditions, Wilderness Aware has extended its 2011 rafting season through Labor Day weekend. The Arkansas River, including Brown’s Canyon, Bighorn Canyon, and the Royal Gorge area have had particularly excellent late-season conditions. As of Friday, the Arkansas River near Parkdale remained close to 900 cfs and Arkansas River and Royal Gorge Rafting trips have been understandably popular in late July and August.

There is still time to get in one (or two!) more rafting trips before the end of the season. Visit www.inaraft.com for more information or to make a reservation for a Colorado rafting trip.

Extreme White Water Rafting on Colorado’s Arkansas River

Some of the most exciting, exhilarating river rafting in Colorado takes place on two sections of the Arkansas River: Royal Gorge and Numbers. Featuring steep drops in rapid succession and Class IV and V rapids that require precision paddling and unflinching nerves, these white water rafting trips are not for the faint of heart. For experienced rafters looking for excitement, however, taking a trip down the Royal Gorge or Numbers with an expert white water rafting guide can be about as good as it gets.

Royal Gorge Rafting

The Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River is one of the most spectacular and recognizable natural scenes in Colorado. It’s also one of the most popular river rafting destinations in the state. Canyon walls soar over 1000 feet above Class IV rapids, in the shadow of the world’s highest suspension bridge, the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Wilderness Aware Rafting offers a full day Royal Gorge rafting trip. The trip starts in the more moderate Lower Bighorn Sheep Canyon, then drops into the Royal Gorge in the afternoon for breathtaking views and big drop after big drop. It’s an unforgettable experience. View here for more information or to schedule a Royal Gorge rafting trip with Wilderness Aware.

Numbers Rafting

If you’ve already mastered the Class IV rapids in the Royal Gorge, and want a new challenge, the Class V rapids in the Numbers section of the Arkansas River takes the level of adventure up even higher. Near the uppermost raftable section of river, the river is steep and rocky. Precision paddling and maneuvering is a must, and quick course changes and lateral paddling are necessary to navigate the Arkansas River’s steep, boulder-strewn drops. Many of the top competitive rafters in the world train here.

Wilderness Aware Rafting offers full-day and half-day Numbers white water rafting trips. The half-day trip covers six miles of the Arkansas River, while the full-day includes 15 miles of the best white water rafting in Colorado! View here for more information or to schedule a Numbers rafting trip with Wilderness Aware.

**EXTENDED COLORADO WHITE WATER RAFTING SEASON**

Due to the high spring snowfalls and mild summer weather, leading to a more moderate and sustained run-off, our rafting season has been extended to September 5th. Enjoy “the best late-season rafting conditions since 1995″ for another month. If you haven’t had a chance to take a Colorado rafting trip this year, or want to get out and enjoy some of the best rafting conditions in years, now is the time. Visit www.inaraft.com for more information or to book a trip today.