Headwaters To Los Pinos river run
Headwaters To Los Pinos
This section of the Whitewater River is approximately 12 miles long and includes several rapids and obstacles, such as the Pinball Rapid, which is a technical Class III rapid with narrow channels and large boulders. Other notable rapids include the Meatgrinder, Smelter, and Sawmill Rapid.
There are specific regulations in place for this area, including a permit system for commercial outfitters and a requirement for personal flotation devices (PFDs) for all paddlers. Additionally, there are restrictions on alcohol and drug use while on the river.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run headwaters to Los Pinos is a scenic and exciting stretch of river that offers a fun and challenging experience for intermediate paddlers. It is important to follow all regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Headwaters To Los Pinos -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Conejos River Near Mogote | 578 cfs | → |
| La Jara Creek At Gallegos Ranch | 5 cfs | → |
| Navajo R At Banded Peak Ranch | 176 cfs | → |
| San Antonio River At Mouth | 46 cfs | → |
| Navajo River Bl Oso Diversion Dam Nr Chromo | 88 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 147 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- Sec 9, T32n, R6e To Sec 22, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
- Sec 23, T32n, R5e To Sec 20, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
- Tierra Amarilla Grant Boundary To Colorado Stateline
- Colorado Stateline To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Rio San Antonio
Campgrounds
- Cruces Basin Campground
- Los Pinos
- Rio De Los Pinos Campground
- Upper Lagunitas
- Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds
- Lagunitas
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Headwaters To Los Pinos as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Headwaters To Los Pinos
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters To Los Pinos?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Headwaters To Los Pinos.