July 31, 2017 Monday South end of Brown's Canyon, Arkansas River, COLORADO

Brown's Canyon is known as the "wildest half-day raft ride in Colorado!"

This stay Glen and I chose to enjoy the river from the banks as this elevation (8200' plus) has affected our breathing and ability to do anything quickly!  Huff and Puff!  But we are enjoying the afternoon temps in the 70!

This afternoon we drove to Hecla Junction, the southern tip of Brown's Canyon National Monument and Wilderness, and the take out point for many raft rides.  There are 19.?? river miles between Buena Vista and Salida.  Hecla Junction is approximately 13-15 miles south of Buena Vista.

Here are some photos of rafts just above the take out point.  It was a beautiful day on the river.  A driver for one of the transporting buses sat on a bench with us.  We learned several facts from him.....

• a week ago Sunday there were 17 buses waiting in line to pick up rafters/rafts; 
• about 3000 people were on these rafts; 
• there has been no fatalities this year (praise the Lord); 
• water temp is in the 50's. We did see some people playing in the water!
• this is peak season, river users will start decreasing in the next two weeks.

Arkansas River is beautiful. Looking at the date I may have already posted this.

Different colored rafts indicates different rafting companies 

Busy time on the river. 

Now the work begins.

No carrying necessary hauling rafts or kayaks to the river.  Just get on either side of the raft and slide it down at your speed!