Idledale To Morrison
This is a short but fun run from Idledale to Morrison. The run is in a rocky creekbed with unrelenting gradient. Though the rapids are continuous with few eddies, it offers a great introduction to creeking with relatively easy moves and tame consequences compared to solid class V runs, but has enough action to keep even the most seasoned class V creekboaters entertained.
Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Bear Creek are between a bare minimum of 150cfs and a high of 800cfs.
River conditions sourced from USGS 06711500, the Bear Creek At Mouth
Remember only watercraft are permitted
at Idledale to Morrison.
Run Stats
| Status | Too Low |
| Class Level | IV+ to V |
| Elevation | 5,303 ft |
| Run Length | 3.0 Mi |
| Streamflow Discharge | 23.7 cfs |
| Gage Height | 2.6 ft |
| Air Temperature | 36° |
| River | Bear Creek |
| Reporting Streamgage |
Bear Creek At Mouth
USGS 06711500 |
| Gauge | Streamflow | Stage |
|---|---|---|
|
West Monument Creek Below Rampart Reservoir
USGS 07103797 |
4 cfs | 4.5 ft |
|
Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton
USGS 06720990 |
29 cfs | 4.4 ft |
|
West Monument Creek At Air Force Academy
USGS 07103800 |
3 cfs | 1.4 ft |
|
Fountain Creek Near Fountain
USGS 07106000 |
151 cfs | 7.7 ft |
|
Fourmile Creek At Orodell
USGS 06727500 |
3 cfs | 4.8 ft |
|
Cabin Creek Near Fraser
USGS 09032100 |
2 cfs | 1.7 ft |
|
Cottonwood Creek At Mouth
USGS 07103990 |
12 cfs | 2.9 ft |
|
Plum Creek Near Sedalia
USGS 06709000 |
41 cfs | 3.9 ft |
|
Big Thompson River At Mouth
USGS 06744000 |
22 cfs | 1.2 ft |
|
St. Vrain Creek At Mouth
USGS 06731000 |
113 cfs | 1.3 ft |
| Snotel Site | Snowpack | 24hr Change |
|---|---|---|
|
laramie 1se
SNOTEL ADFW4 |
0.79" | 0.21" |
|
aurora south
SNOTEL EAGC2 |
0.86" | 0" |
|
colorado springs 10 ne
SNOTEL CMHC2 |
0.89" | 0" |
|
conifer 5.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-222 |
3.78" | 1.72" |
|
fort collins 4.9 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1020 |
2.44" | 2.13" |
|
hudson 4.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-187 |
0.42" | 0" |
|
fcl 3.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-284 |
3.84" | 3.18" |
|
fcl 3.0 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-391 |
4.4" | 3.7" |
|
denver 6.1 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-3 |
0.35" | 0" |
|
niwot 2.3 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-248 |
0.67" | 0" |
|
monument 2.1 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-17 |
1.21" | 0" |
|
red feather 5.9 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-329 |
5.57" | 3.71" |
|
nunn 6.5 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-409 |
1.83" | 0" |
|
nederland 3.7 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-296 |
5.43" | 2.94" |
|
parker 2.1 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-146 |
0.82" | 0" |
|
longmont 3.0 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-435 |
0.48" | 0" |
|
highlands ranch 0.6 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-176 |
2.03" | 0" |
|
longmont 1.8 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-361 |
0.34" | 0" |
|
berthoud 4.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-922 |
3.24" | 2.91" |
|
hygiene,co
SNOTEL HGIC2 |
0.66" | 0" |
|
monument 3s
SNOTEL DMDC2 |
0.81" | 0" |
|
broomfield 2.3 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-72 |
1.3" | 0" |
|
nederland 2.61 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-75 |
6.13" | 3.25" |
|
boulder 1.9 se, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-30 |
0.7" | 0" |
|
jamestown 2.5 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-343 |
6.12" | 3.61" |
|
fcl 1.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-320 |
3.97" | 3.34" |
|
eastonville,co
SNOTEL ESTC2 |
1.15" | 0" |
|
nederland 0.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-322 |
5.74" | 3.27" |
|
fort collins 1.2 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1137 |
3.02" | 2.59" |
|
ralston reservoir
SNOTEL GDNC2 |
2.39" | 2.25" |
|
evergreen 3.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-22 |
5.47" | 3.88" |
|
fort collins 5.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-623 |
5.32" | 4.46" |
|
parker 3.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-292 |
1.18" | 0" |
|
Berthoud Summit
SNOTEL 335 |
59" | 6" |
|
boulder 4.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-67 |
0.64" | 0" |
|
aurora 2.1 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-AR-313 |
0.5" | 0" |
|
ward 4.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-202 |
11.48" | 6.42" |
|
virginia dale 7.2 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-672 |
4.86" | 3.73" |
|
lakewood 1.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-333 |
0.47" | 0" |
|
Jackwhacker Gulch
SNOTEL 935 |
39" | 3" |
|
rollinsville 1.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-GL-25 |
3.69" | 2.36" |
|
boulder 2.1 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-437 |
1.53" | 1.22" |
|
colorado springs 6.9 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-282 |
0.68" | 0" |
|
boulder 1.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-491 |
1.53" | 1.22" |
|
longmont 5.1 e, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-302 |
0.24" | 0" |
|
lafayette 2.5 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-222 |
0.4" | 0" |
|
falcon 2e amrad
SNOTEL FLNC2 |
1.26" | 0" |
|
loveland 2.8 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1109 |
4.93" | 4.16" |
|
nederland 4.8 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-110 |
4.98" | 2.77" |
|
greeley 3.9 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-3 |
0.52" | 0" |
|
black forest 6wnw
SNOTEL BKFC2 |
1" | 0" |
|
nunn 1.2 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-345 |
2.01" | 0" |
|
wellington 0.8 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1008 |
1.71" | 0" |
|
fort collins 3.9 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-112 |
2.32" | 0" |
|
arvada 3.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-457 |
0.53" | 0" |
|
aurora 7.3 se, co
SNOTEL CO-AR-207 |
0.69" | 0" |
|
evans
SNOTEL ENSC2 |
0.53" | 0" |
|
firestone
SNOTEL FSNC2 |
0.14" | 0" |
|
longmont 1.8 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-352 |
0.38" | 0" |
|
aurora 4.0 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-AR-259 |
0.42" | 0" |
|
nederland 5.8 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-57 |
4.54" | 2.66" |
|
boulder 1.6 s, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-14 |
1.07" | 0.99" |
|
wellington 3.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-918 |
1.69" | 0" |
|
la porte 10.0 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-567 |
3.42" | 3.18" |
|
wheat ridge 2.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-290 |
0.34" | 0" |
|
evergreen 6.5 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-1 |
6.02" | 4.06" |
|
westminster 2.3 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-225 |
1.17" | 0" |
|
loveland 3.0 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-104 |
2.07" | 1.51" |
|
erie 1.5 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-511 |
0.16" | 0" |
|
Sawtooth
SNOTEL 1251 |
63" | 4" |
|
loveland 2.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-676 |
4.56" | 3.82" |
|
highlands ranch 2.5 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-178 |
1.9" | 0" |
|
cabin creek
SNOTEL GCRC2 |
20.91" | 4.1" |
|
berthoud
SNOTEL ERTC2 |
1.63" | 1.33" |
|
buford 4se
SNOTEL BFDW4 |
2.6" | 2.07" |
|
fort collins 2.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1009 |
3.93" | 3.29" |
|
Crow Creek
SNOTEL 1045 |
12" | 0" |
|
erie 1.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-455 |
0.72" | 0" |
|
rollinsville 1.1 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-GL-17 |
12.99" | 2.67" |
|
boulder 2.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-380 |
1.43" | 1.13" |
|
Willow Park
SNOTEL 870 |
58" | 3" |
|
black forest 3.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-396 |
1.07" | 0" |
|
estes park 1.8 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-767 |
6.5" | 3.31" |
|
woodland park 1.1 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-28 |
0.11" | 0.05" |
|
georgetown
SNOTEL GEOC2 |
4.14" | 2.84" |
|
elizabeth #2
SNOTEL ELAC2 |
1.12" | 0" |
|
windsor 3.0 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-507 |
1.01" | 0" |
|
loveland 2.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-687 |
1.79" | 0" |
|
highlands ranch 1.1 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-165 |
1.96" | 0" |
|
allens park 1.5 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-22 |
12.21" | 7.12" |
|
boulder 4.7 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-220 |
0.55" | 0" |
|
fort collins
SNOTEL FORC2 |
3.19" | 2.72" |
|
longmont 2.1 n, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-143 |
0.49" | 0" |
|
lyons 4.8 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-50 |
6.67" | 5.46" |
|
elizabeth
SNOTEL ELZC2 |
0.75" | 0" |
|
highlands ranch 3.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-74 |
2.17" | 0" |
|
University Camp
SNOTEL 838 |
55" | 4" |
|
loveland 1.5 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-40 |
3.95" | 3.31" |
|
gleneagle 0.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-61 |
1.02" | 0" |
|
lafayette 0.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-8 |
1.24" | 0" |
|
fort collins 4.6 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-762 |
2.53" | 2.2" |
|
evergreen 4.2 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-157 |
4.54" | 3.17" |
|
lov 3.4 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-472 |
2.65" | 2.06" |
|
fort collins 4.2 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-758 |
1.94" | 0" |
|
boulder 1.5 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-496 |
1.01" | 0" |
|
golden 12.5 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-331 |
3.71" | 2.56" |
|
boulder 2.2 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-452 |
2.23" | 1.87" |
|
Hourglass Lake
SNOTEL 1122 |
41" | 6" |
|
Copeland Lake
SNOTEL 412 |
10" | 4" |
|
evergreen 2.0 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-395 |
3.84" | 2.77" |
|
lyons 0.3 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-146 |
4.7" | 4.13" |
|
wellington 0.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-952 |
1.7" | 0" |
|
englewood #2
SNOTEL ENLC2 |
0.54" | 0" |
|
franktown 3.6 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-293 |
1.22" | 0" |
|
estes park,co
SNOTEL ETSC2 |
5.8" | 2.92" |
|
longmont 8.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-203 |
0.12" | 0" |
|
eaton 1.8 se, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-441 |
0.54" | 0" |
|
fcl 5.6 e, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-393 |
2.6" | 0" |
|
laramie 7sse
SNOTEL CMBW4 |
0.93" | 0.33" |
|
fort collins 1.1 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-863 |
3.51" | 2.97" |
|
nederland 4.2 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-233 |
4.68" | 2.68" |
|
cheesman
SNOTEL CHEC2 |
1.02" | 0" |
|
Bear Lake
SNOTEL 322 |
57" | 8" |
|
Wild Basin
SNOTEL 1042 |
43" | 0" |
|
fort collins 2.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-75 |
4.19" | 3.52" |
|
gross reservoir
SNOTEL GRRC2 |
2.96" | 2.16" |
|
laporte 1.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-761 |
2.93" | 2.46" |
|
amrad
SNOTEL CNRC2 |
5.56" | 3.34" |
|
denver 0.4 e, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-175 |
0.43" | 0" |
|
evergreen 1.3 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-424 |
3.68" | 2.84" |
|
evergreen 5 w, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-2 |
5.48" | 3.83" |
|
erie 1.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-209 |
0.14" | 0" |
|
fort collins 5.5 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1100 |
3.84" | 3.27" |
|
niwot 0.7 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-338 |
0.55" | 0" |
|
bellvue 5.9 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-4 |
5.28" | 3.53" |
|
longmont 3.3 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-507 |
0.51" | 0" |
|
westminster 1.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-153 |
1" | 0" |
|
fort collins 0.9 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-849 |
3.15" | 2.71" |
|
littleton 6.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-376 |
0.26" | 0.13" |
|
florissant 5.0 n, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-19 |
0.62" | 0.09" |
|
carr 0.6 s, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-127 |
1.58" | 0" |
|
fcl 2.2 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-273 |
3.22" | 2.7" |
|
franktown 3e
SNOTEL FNKC2 |
0.94" | 0" |
|
evergreen
SNOTEL EVGC2 |
3.45" | 2.63" |
|
livermore 9.9 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-897 |
5.22" | 3.74" |
|
estes park 10.5 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1019 |
9.48" | 6.28" |
|
fort collins 9.6 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-630 |
1.66" | 0" |
|
fcl 1.7 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-295 |
3.4" | 2.91" |
|
fort lupton 7.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-326 |
0.11" | 0" |
|
cheyenne 7ne
SNOTEL GRAW4 |
1.9" | 1.62" |
|
greeley 4.6 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-318 |
0.65" | 0" |
|
fort collins 3.4 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-653 |
2.76" | 2.36" |
|
cripple creek,co
SNOTEL CRIC2 |
0.07" | 0" |
|
peyton 8.5 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-371 |
1.29" | 0" |
|
lake george 7.2 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-PK-39 |
1.35" | 0.15" |
|
glen haven 1.2 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-868 |
5.65" | 2.58" |
|
boulder 1.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-490 |
1.41" | 1.17" |
|
fort collins 3.7 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-885 |
3.81" | 3.26" |
|
cr66
SNOTEL GEYC2 |
0.62" | 0" |
|
lafayette 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-290 |
1.34" | 0" |
|
lakewood 2.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-179 |
1.41" | 0" |
|
castle rock 1.7 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-62 |
0.91" | 0.89" |
|
denver 8 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-30 |
0.99" | 0" |
|
aspen springs amrad
SNOTEL ASIC2 |
3.7" | 2.65" |
|
the pinery, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-294 |
0.43" | 0" |
|
conifer 3.2 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-53 |
4.5" | 2.5" |
|
littleton 6.4 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-212 |
1.44" | 1.19" |
|
bailey
SNOTEL BLYC2 |
3.18" | 1.1" |
|
black forest 3.9 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-66 |
1.06" | 1.05" |
|
fcl 7.9 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-250 |
2.59" | 0" |
|
broomfield 3.2 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BR-32 |
0.69" | 0" |
|
estes park 1.7 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1115 |
6.41" | 2.99" |
|
cheyenne wfo
SNOTEL CYSW4 |
1.95" | 1.65" |
|
greeley 2.6 w, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-171 |
0.59" | 0" |
|
estes park 1.8 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-987 |
6.43" | 3.25" |
|
windsor 3.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-845 |
1.73" | 0" |
|
loveland 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-854 |
4.56" | 3.82" |
|
boulder 2.9 s, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-4 |
0.96" | 0" |
|
thornton 2.1 n, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-100 |
0.26" | 0" |
|
erie 1.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-285 |
0.64" | 0" |
|
fcl 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-311 |
3.29" | 2.75" |
|
lafayette 0.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-266 |
1.35" | 0" |
|
colorado springs 7ne
SNOTEL CSEC2 |
0.53" | 0" |
|
grant
SNOTEL GRTC2 |
7.58" | 2.98" |
|
fcl 2.55 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-340 |
2.76" | 2.36" |
|
aurora 5 se
SNOTEL AUOC2 |
0.49" | 0" |
|
estes park 3.3 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-247 |
7.49" | 3.73" |
|
arvada 4.7 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-455 |
0.5" | 0" |
|
South Colony
SNOTEL 773 |
51" | -4" |
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey | 13 | 6,217 ft | |||
| Buffalo | 41 | 7,321 ft | |||
| Clear Creek RV Park | 36 | 5,684 ft | |||
| Platte River | 10 | 6,333 ft | |||
| Standley Lake | None | 5,530 ft | |||
| Kelsey | 17 | 8,035 ft | |||
| Ouzel | 13 | 6,285 ft | |||
| Flat Rocks | 19 | 8,245 ft | |||
| Indian Creek | 11 | 7,562 ft | |||
| Trail Creek | None | 7,844 ft | |||
| Bear Creek Lake Park | 52 | 5,693 ft | |||
| Wigwam | 10 | 6,606 ft | |||
| Boulder County Fairground | None | 4,974 ft | |||
| Devils Head | 21 | 8,856 ft | |||
| Lone Rock | 20 | 6,410 ft | |||
| Jackson Creek | 9 | 8,179 ft | |||
| Chatfield State Park | 193 | 5,494 ft |
| Ski Area | Snowpack | Air Temperature | 5 Day Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Mountain Park | 31" | 22° | 12.94" |
| River Run | Streamflow | Length | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSV - Confluence to Picnic Grounds | 55.4cfs | 5.0 Mi | V to V+ |
| Main Section | 46.8cfs | 3.0 Mi | IV+ to V |
| Upper South Boulder Creek | 11.0cfs | None Mi | V+ |
| Golden Whitewater Park | 1.66cfs | 0.75 Mi | II+ |
| Tunnel 1 to Golden Whitewater Park | 49.5cfs | None Mi | III- to III+ |
| Upper South Boulder Creek | 11.0cfs | None Mi | V+ |
| Gnar Section | 141.0cfs | 1.0 Mi | V+ |
| Idledale to Morrison | 23.7cfs | 3.0 Mi | IV+ to V |
| Lower Boulder Canyon | 50.8cfs | None Mi | IV- to V- |
| NSV | 55.4cfs | 13.0 Mi | V+ |
| October Hole | 55.4cfs | None Mi | II |
| Upper Clear Creek | 49.5cfs | 2.5 Mi | IV- to IV+ |