Roaring Fork River
The Roaring Fork River begins in the snowfields and high alpine lakes
of one of Colorado's highest and most picturesque mountain ranges, and
then tumbles 70 miles to the northwest, where it joins the Colorado
River on its journey to the Pacific. The Ute Indians of the
Roaring Fork River Valley called the river the Thunder River. The
Roaring Fork's rapid and its uncontrolled descent make it one of the
steepest rivers in Colorado.
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Against a backdrop of craggy snow-covered peaks, the Roaring Fork River
plunges from pool to pool through a scenic ranchland river
valley. The river provides great recreation opportunities to its
neighboring community locals, and visitors who travel to Aspen and to
the Roaring Fork River Valley. Not only do people benefit
from this mighty river, but the wildlife supported and the ecosystem
created by the river are just as magnificent as the free flowing
Roaring Fork River.
The Roaring Fork River flows by colorful canyons of red, yellow and
brown sandstone dotted with colorful Aspen trees. The 70-mile
stretch is an experienced rafters and kayakers' dream playground.
Difficulty ranges from Class II to Class V. The most popular
section of the river for whitewater sport is the upper section, for its
fast and narrow current with many obstacles. The lower section is
very popular with beginners although it can still be exciting for
intermediates.
As you would imagine, the Roaring Fork River is also an excellent
fishery. It has become one of Colorado's finest freestone rivers,
with year-round fishing and heavy summer hatches that provide
spectacular dry-fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout.
Floating is one of most effective ways to access the Roaring Fork
River. The float fisherman is not only able to cover more water
in a day than the wading fisherman, but is also able to access the
private water, which is inaccessible to the fisherman on foot.
Although the upper section of the Roaring Fork River is inaccessible
for float boats due to the fact that the water can be fast and narrow
with many rapids in places, the middle and lower sections of the river
are some of the finest floating water in the state.
Currently OutsideOther pages you might find helpful:
Roaring Fork Conservancy
The Roaring Fork Conservancy is dedicated to conserving the watershed in the Roaring Fork area.
