![]() My heart beats, and I am nervous when I ease up to the edge and look over. The pressure mounts as they shout for us to jump. We ask if they have jumped or seen anyone jump today, to which they reply, “Yes.” But, they want to see some more action. It is noticeably hotter here at lower elevation, and the water will be a welcome cool down.Īt the hot springs, there is a full group of people who just arrived via raft. ![]() The sun is high in the sky when we arrive. We gather our things and start a short hike up a steep hill that will bring us to the cliff jump and hot springs. Once you make it through the construction, though, it is only a 30-minute drive to the cliff diving pull-off. It should be noted that there is a road construction project between the Heeney and Radium exits, where traffic can only travel one way on a single road. The Upper Colorado River is great for Duckie's, Rafts, and Kayaks.Big Kahuna is a 50-foot cliff jump into the Colorado River, found next to the hot springs and two miles south of Radium, a small town that is a little over an hour north of Silverthorne. ![]() You will see expert/crazy paddlers attempting but we do not condone it. Paddle Board Rentalsīecause of the 2-3 rapids on the Upper Colorado stretch, Paddle Board Rentals and use is not recommended. So, from experience, I suggest that you enjoy a beer and just watch the carnage from others. There are many horror stories through the years of people hitting rocks, railroad spikes and other types of debris during their jump - even as I write this I am reminded of the time that I split my eye open on a partially submerged log that was floating by just at the right moment of my (last) jump. Moving water causes rocks/boulders to shift and for strange items to find there way into the wrong places at the wrong time. At the height, it's about a 40 foot jump which isn't too bad but what people often forget is that they are jumping into a moving body of water. You'll notice a trail leading up the rockface behind the spring which is how the cliff divers get to the top of JumpRock. The hotspring is nestled up against jump rock and is a popular community gathering location. Once you exit the "Neddle's Eye" rapid, you will come around the bend and most likely come up on a floatilla - this means you have arrived at the Radium Hot Spring and JumpRock. Most locals will pay a few dollars to the nice folks at Rancho who will then follow you up to Pumphouse and shuttle your car back to the take out. Parking is available at the Pumphouse put in and at the Rancho del Rio take out. If you do put in above the kayak park, be sure to look out for kayakers and also be aware that you will be required to make a technical move within the first few yards of your float. There are essentially two put ins at pumphouse with the more popular one being above the play wave. The addition of the new play wave also makes for a tricker launch one must determine whether they want to start above or below. Though this may sound like great news, many locals believe that the Pumphouse put in was already too busy during high season. In spring of 2015 the new Pumphouse Kayak Park / play wave was introduced. To research water levels and where to camp and trip planning, please visit our friends at newDescents. There is available camping on the benchmark islands but be sure to arrive early as they tend to fill up quickly. Pumphouse sits just below the Class V Gore Canyon Rapid and on your route from Pumphouse to Rancho Del Rio you will be on Class II and III Whitewater with the famed “Eye of the Needle” rapid being one of the trickier obstacles. The most popular day trip on the river is from Pumphouse to Rancho Del Rio. The stretch of river is home to the Radium Hot Spring and the State Bridge Lodge and Amphitheater. From Kremmling Colorado to Dotsero Colorado, the river runs for 58 miles. The section can be as difficult or as easy going as you want it to be and is a great stretch for Ducky/Float Trips, Whitewater rafting, Paddle Boarding and Fly Fishing. One of the most, if not the most popular river stretches in Colorado is known as the Upper Colorado River.
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