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RiverBrain

Colorado – US

Class
III+ to V-
Length
6 Mile(s)
Put-in elevation
8,928 Feet
Typical season
April to September

Current Flow

135 CFS

Gauge height: 11.03 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:45 PM

-1.58/hr (12h) -0.79/hr (24h)

Too Low

Don't bother

Primary gauge
ARKANSAS RIVER BELOW GRANITE, CO Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Flow formula
[ARKANSAS RIVER AT GRANITE] computes to 88.0 right now
Alternative gauge
[ARKANSAS RIVER AT GRANITE] 88 CFS

Recommended levels

Minimum250
Average1,200
Maximum5,000

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

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Description

Pine Creek was where the most difficult class V water was in the early years of kayaking.  Now you can book a commercial trip on this section and be back in your 5 star hotel before dark.  Even though the hardcore boaters are running Lake Creek and other steep creeks around, the Pine Creek section of the Arkansas still shouldn't be taken lightly if you decide to run this.

This run is harder at low water and really high water.  At medium flows this run can be a blast and relatively safe.  This is mainly a class III run overall with the class IV pine creek drops and a class IV dam drop.

Take out at the Numbers put in (info found here) or continue down the Numbers for more fun.

Flow info:  Put-in is the Arkansas at Granite gauge.  This flow holds through the dam drop, including Maytag and Little Pine Creek and then Clear Creek comes in.  This flow holds through the S-Turn rapids and the first half of Pine Creek rapid.  The only other notable tributary is Pine Creek, which comes in halfway through Pine Creek rapid, just above the big hole, Moonpie.  The Arkasas below Granite gauge is the one at the official Numbers put-in, and is accurate for lower Pine Creek rapid and Triple Drop.

Rapids

# Rapid Class Recommended flow Description Scout
1 Dam Drop Rapid IV- to IV 250–2,500

Just above the Clear Creek dam area is a small diversion dam that is a class IV drop at most levels.

2 Pine Creek Rapid IV- to IV 250–2,500

This is a farily long technical section just above the numbers section on the Arkansas.  About midway down is the pine creek hole and this is what gives this rapid a class V rating by some.  The hole at certain levels can be a dangerous keeper.  Fatalities have happened here so use caution when running this.

Scout from the right bank area.

3 Granite Falls III- to III+ 300–5,000

First class III drop you come to after putting in at Granite. Straight forward drop down the middle.

4 Maytag/Little Pine Creek IV- to IV 300–5,000

Straight forward rapid with good gradient. 4 significant drops stacked on top of each other...but again, the lines are straight forward.

5 Hopscotch IV to IV+ 300–5,000

Nice class IV rapid found near the outflow of the Clear Creek reservoir overflow channel....about 1/2 mile downstream of the Clear Creek access. Several S-turns through a granite maze with a couple semi-sticky holes.

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Granite Put In 8,928 Feet No No No All Vehicles

Turn off Highway 24 onto CO Road 397 in Granite, CO.  As you cross the road there is a small access area on river left.

Put-In Clear Creek outflow Putin 8,804 Feet No No No All Vehicles

Across the road from the clear creek dam outflow on Higway 24 is a dirt road that heads towards the river.  Take the fork that heads upstream.  There is a parking area.

This is a good access point when the flow is lower or you want to shorten the run.

Put-In Railroad Ramp 8,760 Feet No No No All Vehicles

Park and walk upstream to access Pine Creek Rapid only. Easy access along the old railroad track. Look for the dirt pullout with the 4x4 ramp heading down to the tracks.

Camps

Camp Fee Beach Description
Maytag/Little Pine Creek access No Yes

There is an unmarked dirt road coming off highway 24 about 1-2 miles south of Granite. The turnoff is on the north side of the road and there is informal, free camping throughout this area. River access as well.

Stone Cabin No Yes

This access is about a 1/2 below the outflow of Clear Creek Reservoir. There is a marked sign for the access on the east side of highway 24. It has free camping and river access just above Hopscotch rapid.

Permit

No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Community Run Notes

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