Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests
Thunder Basin National Grassland

Platte River Floating Information

General Information

In 1984, Congress designated 23,492 acres of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests as the Platte River Wilderness. Northgate Canyon falls within this wilderness area and provides the public with a unique opportunity for both exciting whitewater and solitude. While floating the North Platte, please respect wilderness values and preserve them for the future. One of the regulations to help preserve solitude is a maximum group size of 25 persons per trip. Please call the ranger districts for a complete list of Platte River Wilderness regulations: Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District at 307/ 326-5258, Parks Ranger District at 970/ 723-8204 or the Laramie Ranger District 307/745-2300. Regulations are also posted on access bulletin boards.

At this time, permits are not required for private trips, where members of the party all share the costs of their trip equally. No one may receive a salary or gratuity, increase their net worth or amortize equipment costs without a Special Use Permit. Special Use Permits are required for all commercial outfitters.

The normal floating season runs from late May through June, although runoff is very unpredictable. A flow of at least 1200 c.f.s. is recommended for floating. Daily flow information is available during the float season at the Brush Creek/Hayden and Parks Ranger Districts or by checking http//wy.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?06620000.

Floating is hazardous in Northgate due to the river, weather and access. Navigation on the river is very technical because of numerous rocks and maneuverability problems. The weather at this elevation, 8,000 feet, is highly unpredictable in June where snow, freezing rain, and high winds are not uncommon. Access is limited to two main points, Routt Access and Six Mile Gap, with the most dangerous rapids in between, known as Northgate Canyon. Once launched, a boat in committed.

Camping is allowed along the river. Fishing may be good for brown and rainbow trout in the calmer stretches. The canyon is in two states; both Colorado and Wyoming fishing licenses are required. Wildlife sighted includes mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, ducks, geese, raptors, and many songbirds.

Weekends are the most heavily used period in Northgate Canyon. To avoid congestion at the put-ins and on the river, it is advisable to plan a trip during the middle of the week or launch at noon on Saturdays or Sundays. For more information, please contact the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District or the Parks Ranger District.

Photo of Narrow Falls at 5,200 cfs in Northgate Canyon on the North Platte River Sunday June 5, 2005 photo taken by Dave Gloss, Hydrologist

Access Points and Equipment

ROUTT ACCESS

Take Highway 127, four miles NW from Three-Way junction on Colorado Highways 125 and 127 (13 miles north of Walden, on the road toward Encampment/Riverside and Saratoga). Routt Access is the primary access point for whitewater in Northgate Canyon. There are no developed camping facilities, but overnight is allowed in the designated overnight parking area.

SIX MILE GAP

Developed campground on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.

Signed access to Northgate Canyon below major rapids. Popular take-out point, but one has to haul equipment up a steep hill,
about 150 yards. Popular put-in for less experienced boaters and even qualified boaters when the water is high. Stretch
below Six Mile is still difficult for open canoes.

Shuttle from Routt Access: approximately 11 miles and 25 minutes each way. Forest Service does not provide shuttle service.
PROSPECT ACCESS: BLM Road 3423, goes east from Wyoming Hwy 230 at the cattle guard, just across from the prominent
Big Creek Ranch. It is the only cattle guard after Six Mile Gap road. Road is 2 wheel drive for 5 miles to the bluff above the river.
The next 1.5 miles is 4WD ONLY!! When the road is wet or muddy it can be impassable. Parking is ample at the end of the 2WD road,
but very limited at the end of the 4WD road.
Popular take-out for long 1 day and short 2 day trips. There are hardly any rapids below this point, and open canoes and
johnboats, etc can safely float.

Shuttle from Routt Access takes about 50 minutes each way. Forest Service does not provide shuttle service.
PICKAROON CAMPGROUND ACCESS: Road from Albany, WY or Fox Park, WY is usually closed until the middle of June.
Road is good standard dirt. Access is 22 miles from Albany. Popular campsite and take-out later in the summer.

SANGER BRIDGE

Take County Road 660, French Creek Road, off Wyoming Hwy 230, 4 miles east of Riverside, WY.

This is Private Access! You must contact Sanger Ranch for permission and payment. Good take-out for 2 days trips. Eliminates
the long drive to Bennett Peak Recreation Area. Private floaters talk with Ranch BEFORE you leave a car parked behind locked
fence.

BENNETT PEAK RECREATION AREA

Take County Road 660, French Creek Road, off Wyoming Hwy 230, 4 miles east of
Riverside, WY. Cross the Sanger Bridge, and turn left after about 3 miles onto Bennett Peak access road, BLM Road 3404. This junction is signed.
Bennett Peak Recreation Area is about 10 miles past the Sanger Bridge.

Popular take-out for 2 or 3 day trips
Shuttle from Routt Access takes about 1.5 hours each way. Forest Service does not provide shuttle service.

AVERAGE FLOAT TIMES

from Routt Access to Six Mile Gap is 3 hours.
from Six Mile Gap to Pickaroon Campground or Prospect Creek is 5 hours.

EQUIPMENT

Multi-chambered rafts over 12 feet long are recommended. Rafts over 18 feet long may have maneuverability problems.
Kayaks are OK providing the operator has a good roll and has run quite a bit of whitewater.

River Distances

River Flow and Rating System

River Flow Levels

Below 900 cfs

Very marginal for rafts; small rafts and kayaks may be OK down to 800 cfs or so;
depends on skill level and knowledge of river.

900-1200 cfs

OK for kayaks, smaller oar boats and paddle boats. Not advised for loaded oar
boats (gear boats).

1200-2500 cfs

Good water levels for all rafts - a very technical and difficult run.

2500-2900 cfs

Getting pretty fast - still suitable for paddle boats.

Above 2900 cfs

Very significant and dangerous at this point! Water levels about 2900 cfs DEMAND
expert experience and maneuvering ability for a successful and safe river trip.
Advised for very experienced oar boats and kayakers only.

Rapid Rating System

(I) Very Easy

Waves small regular, passages clear, very little maneuvering; riffles.

(II) Easy

Rapids of medium difficulty, some maneuvering necessary; low ledges
slow rock gardens, medium regular waves.

(III) Medium

Waves numerous, high irregular; rocks, strong eddies, passages clear
though narrow, expertise in maneuvering required, inspection necessary
the first time.

(IV) Difficult

Long rapids, waves powerful, irregular; dangerous rocks, boiling eddies,
inspection usually necessary; powerful and precise maneuvering required;
maximum safety precautions necessary.

(V) Very Difficult

Very large irregular waves, critical complex maneuvering required;
maximum safety precautions necessary. Risk to boat and life; limits of
controlled navigation.

(VI) Limits

Navigation Severe risk to life and boat; rarely, if ever, run.

Northgate Canyon Rapids Rating

USDA Forest Service, Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests, Thunder Basin National Grassland
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Last modified January 14, 2008