Uncompahgre River — 01. Uncompahgre Gorge

The "Unc Gorge" is an awesome run! Although the wood situation is often precarious. You must scout the entire gorge for wood before putting in. **Put-in:** The upper put in and most used is where Engineer pass, CR. 18  comes into Highway 550. There is a large slide where the Uncompahgre river forms when Engine Creek comes into Red Mountain Creek. Park on the side of the highway and parallel the slide down to the confluence of the two drainages. Put-in here. **The Run:** The run is broken into 2 sections, and drops about 300’ in 2 miles.  They are the upper gorge and the lower gorge. Where the Bear Creek drainage comes into the Uncompahgre breaks up the two sections.  This run is incredibly unique with its tight character and beautiful views. At one point you can touch both sides of the river at the same time, and it is the base of 2 10,000’ mountains coming together.  The upper section starts off with some nice boogie into the true gorge. There is some awesome class III/IV with one Class V rapid that is a short boof into a small slot. Be on the look out for wood. As you round the corner and enter the true gorge, you will be pleased with multiple 5’ boofs and few eddies. Be on the look out for wood. I have scouted from river right, above the gorge, but be aware of private property. As you approach the entrance of Bear Creek on river right be ready to scout the crux of the run. Piece of Shit Rapid. Scout from river right, and be ready for a gnarly slot move. The drop above " piece of crap" is also precarious due to being a sieve plugged up with wood. If the wood gets flushed out it's still a river wide sieve.  From this point down to the lake above the Ice park is a super tight gorge filled with awesome read and run Class III/IV. **Take Out:** The Take out is just below the tunnel North of the Bear Creek National Recreation Trail Head.  Park at the trailhead or further north of the tunnel at a large pull out. To exit the river get out on the right side when you hit the holding pond above the damn, and look for a faint trail that takes you up to the tunnel. It is less than one mile up to the road and approximately 400’ of elevation gain. **Flow: Ideal flow is 400cfs in Ouray**