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
Elk River Near Milner
USGS 09242500 		273 cfs 2.4 ft
Michigan River At Walden
USGS 06617100 		13 cfs 1.2 ft
Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir
USGS 06746110 		9 cfs 1.6 ft
L Medicine Bow R At Boles Spring
USGS 06634620 		61 cfs 2.0 ft
Grand Lake Outlet Blw Chipmunk Ln At Grand Lk
USGS 09014050 		24 cfs 8.6 ft
Medicine Bow R Ab Seminoe Reservoir
USGS 06635000 		89 cfs 2.7 ft
Pass Creek Near Elk Mountain
USGS 06628900 		149 cfs 5.9 ft
Encampment River At Mouth
USGS 06625000 		103 cfs 2.1 ft
Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr
USGS 06623800 		68 cfs 1.6 ft
Illinois Creek Near Rand
USGS 06617500 		11 cfs 1.3 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change
Arapaho Ridge
SNOTEL 1030 		1" 0"
Mccoy Park
SNOTEL 1040 		1" 0"
Buckskin Joe
SNOTEL 938 		182" 0"

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Bow River 13 8,596 ft
Bobbie Thomson 16 8,721 ft
Sugarloaf 16 10,764 ft
Holmes 13 9,598 ft
Pelton Creek 16 8,240 ft
Ryan Park 49 8,438 ft
Pike Pole 6 7,565 ft
South Brush Creek 20 8,355 ft
Deep Creek 12 10,069 ft
Pickaroon 8 7,420 ft
Silver Lake 17 10,464 ft
Six Mile 9 7,890 ft
Lincoln Park 12 8,102 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Snowy Range -1" 63° 0"
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Northgate Canyon 109.0cfs 9.8 Mi III- to III+