Northgate Canyon


Great wilderness run that is better known for the fishing than whitewater.  The upper run, Routt Access to Sixmile Gap, has only 5 named rapids in 10 miles.  However the rapids are good, and can get very big at the highest levels.  Below Sixmile Gap frequent Class II rapids and many camping opportunities allow the option of overnight trips.  Other than the occasional riffle, the rapids are done below Prospect/Pickaroon, but the river remains quite scenic through Bennett Peak.  Below Bennett the river will be Class I braided channels.

Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the North Platte River are between a bare minimum of 500cfs and a high of 3,000cfs. River conditions sourced from USGS 06620000, the North Platte River Near Northgate Remember only watercraft are permitted at Northgate Canyon.

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Whitewater Rapids

Obstacles on the river run
Windy Hole
Class III
Cowpie
Class III
Narrows
Class III+ to IV+
Tootsie Roll
Class III
Stovepipe
Class III

Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir
USGS 06746110 		15 cfs 1.3 ft
Michigan River At Walden
USGS 06617100 		94 cfs 2.1 ft
Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir
USGS 09237500 		40 cfs 2.7 ft
Colorado River At Windy Gap
USGS 09034250 		322 cfs 4.3 ft
Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir
USGS 09237450 		39 cfs 2.2 ft
Joe Wright Creek Above Joe Wright Reservoir
USGS 06746095 		17 cfs 4.5 ft
Michigan River Near Cameron Pass
USGS 06614800 		12 cfs 2.8 ft
Colorado River Near Granby
USGS 09019500 		76 cfs 1.6 ft
Colorado R Below Baker Gulch
USGS 09010500 		100 cfs 5.5 ft
Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr
USGS 06623800 		227 cfs 2.6 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Pelton Creek 16 8,240 ft
Holmes 13 9,598 ft
Ryan Park 49 8,438 ft
Deep Creek 12 10,069 ft
Lincoln Park 12 8,102 ft
Pickaroon 8 7,420 ft
Pike Pole 6 7,565 ft
Sugarloaf 16 10,764 ft
South Brush Creek 20 8,355 ft
Bobbie Thomson 16 8,721 ft
Bow River 13 8,596 ft
Six Mile 9 7,890 ft
Silver Lake 17 10,464 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Snowy Range 59" 62° 0"
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Northgate Canyon 142.0cfs 9.8 Mi III- to III+