Cache La Poudre — 03. Tunnel Picnic Site to Indian Meadows Bridge

This is a long run that can be divided into shorter sections: from Tunnel Picnic Site to Home Moraine, and from Home Moraine to Indian Meadows Bridge (the Upper Rustic run) but there are multiple roadside access points providing several alternative options. *Tunnel Picnic Site to Home Moraine* This segment starts out with a fun whitewater for approximately 2.5 miles down to Sleeping Elephant where it mellows a bit. Be aware of the low-head dam just above the fish hatchery another 5 miles downstream that's difficult to spot. At normal water levels, most rapids here are moderate and suitable for intermediate paddlers. The water stays cold year-round in this stretch and throughout the upper river. The Cameron Peak Fire in 2020 significantly affected the watershed, increasing the likelihood of fallen trees (wood hazards) and landslides along the river. *Home Moraine to Indian Meadows Bridge (Upper Rustic)* A fun and energetic Class III run, offering consistent excitement for intermediate paddlers, with the possible exception of the 'White Mile' (more accurately, the 'busy 1/4 mile'). Below here the river mellows considerably. Taking out at Glen Echo Resort in Rustic is an option for those interested in focusing on the best whitewater. Additional Information: For descriptions of Colorado runs see Whitewater of the Southern Rockies by Stafford and McCutchen, or Colorado Rivers and Creeks by Banks and Eckert. The most reliable flow information, and a calculator for converting CFS to/from the Pineview gauge, is available from the Poudre Rock Report at