A Guide to SUPing the Dolores River's Iconic "Hanging Flume"
Hands down one of the best, most unique, iconic day floats in western Colorado for paddle boarding is the “Hanging Flume” on the Dolores River!
The Hanging Flume section of the Dolores and San Miguel Rivers is a paddle boarder’s dream, one of the most perfect SUP rivers really, thanks to its perfect blend of relaxed flat water, combined with challenging splashy water and rapid. “The Flume” consists of the main section, the iconic Hanging Flume itself, with additional miles of river that can be added on from either the San Miguel River or Dolores River (when she’s flowing).
Sections of the Hanging Flume
“THE FLUME”: 5 MILES
Put on at the confluence with the San Miguel River on Y11 Road and take out five miles downstream at the R13 Road bridge where the Rimrocker Trail crosses the Dolores River a.k.a. “Biscuit Rock”.
This is a newer-to-rivers beginner friendly section with mostly flat water. (By “beginner-friendly” we don’t mean beginner paddle boarders new to water in general, but rather paddle boarders who are strong enough and skilled enough at paddling and maneuvering on flat water and are confident in taking their skills to the next level.) Some quick maneuvers are needed, making this is a great stretch to learn how to “read the river.” There are two decent sized rapids which can be a challenge for beginners, meaning some swims and possibly bumps and bruises. At higher water there is less maneuvering between rocks, but more consequence for long swims if you fall off the board. However, high or low water, both rapids do flush out and have little consequence other than a good swim and maybe some bruises from hitting rocks.
The first rapid is two miles from the confluence. The rapid comes on straight and flushes out straight. There are numerous boulders, which depending on the level, may require quick manuevers. This rapid does push up against the cliff on the river right, so its best to stay river center to river left. Stop at the campsite on the left at the end of the rapid to hike to the base of Horse Collar Arch!
The second rapid, Red Canyon Rapid, is 3.5 miles from the confluence, and in the river books is a Class II. This rapid makes a swift left turn at the entrance, but flushes out straight. There are some larger boulders on river left to avoid, so we recommend coming in on this rapid river center to river left.
(Note: River access at R13 Road/Rimrocker Trail a.k.a “Biscuit Rock” is on private property which is owned by a very gracious placer miner who has allowed river users to access the river. When parking, accessing the river, or even camping, please be extremely respectful of the land, the river, and any mining equipment you come across. DO NOT DISTURB ANY MINING EQUIPMENT IN OR NEAR THE RIVER!!! The land owner has the right to revoke access to the river at any point and all it takes is one person to screw it up for all of us.)
THE BALLPARK: 7–12 MILES
If it’s more action and whitewater excitement you’re looking for, put in on the San Miguel at the new Ball Park Campground at the old townsite of Uravan. This section 7 mile section starts out flat, but becomes fairly technical with some quick maneuvers and exciting rapids as it drops down into the canyon.
The first and most exciting rapid is below the bridge at EE22 Road. The rapid is created by large concrete slabs that have been left in the river. Stay slightly right of center and ride the eddie line on the right as the rapid flushes out (go any farther left and the side waves may flip you!).
The Hanging Flume comes into view within 1-2 miles before the confluence. Tack on the Hanging Flume section to Biscuit Rock for an additional 5 miles!
(Warning! The Ball Park section is not recommended for beginner river SUPers or those not familiar with smaller, more technical rivers.)
PARADOX: 11–16 MILES
For a good long day float, put on at Bedrock and float 11 miles to the confluence with the San Miguel. Tack on the Hanging Flume section to Biscuit Rock for an additional 5 miles!
(Warning! There are three large rapids in the canyon on this section, both of which can be of high consequence for inexperienced paddle boarders. Only experienced paddle boarders with experience in small, fast, pushy rivers and white water should run these rapids. Both of these rapids can be easily portaged by small craft.)
The first rapid is Paradox Canyon Rapid, which the river books label a Class III. Stay right of center on this rapid.
The second rapid is Lost Oar Rapid, which the river books label a Class III/-IV at 5,000 cfs. This rapid is very pushy and there is a sneaker rock at the end of the rapid in right/middle. Just pick the cleanest lines and avoid being pushed into the rocks on all sides.
The third rapid is Trap Rapid, which the river books label a Class III. Same story as Lost Oar Rapid. There is a sneaker rock in at the end of the rapid in the middle. Pick the cleanest lines and avoid being pushed into the rocks on all sides.
(Note: Bedrock to the confluence with the San Miguel is only floatable when the Dolores is flowing naturally or from dam release…carpe diem river friends!)
NATURITA: 21–28–33 MILES (APPROX.)
Photo courtesy of the Naturita Town Clerks.
Another good long day float is on the San Miguel, from the town of Naturita. Put on at town park and float to the Ball Park! This section is mostly meandering flat water with a few tight, technical spots. During high water however, this section can become more dangerous as the river becomes faster and pushier. There are many downed trees which become invisible hazards underwater (strainers), and there are a few tight corners in which the river pushes up against rock ledges. We don’t recommend this section for paddle boarders new to floating rivers. Tack on the Ball Park section for an additional 7 miles, or the Hanging Flume section for another 5 miles!
Read more about the magic of the ever so wonderful endangered Dolores river here!
What’s the best SUP board for “The Flume”?
Wondering which paddle boards are the best tools for floating “The Flume?” That’s easy, river SUP boards! To put it simply, your basic flat water/lake board will work, but you may find yourself not having nearly as much fun as you’d like (and doing a bit more swimming than you plan to). There are a few paddle boards brands that specifically design SUP boards for rivers and whitewater. These SUP boards are made to be able to easily handle waves, tight maneuvers, technical spaces, and rapids with ease, extra stability, and added durability.
River SUP boards often feature more rocker in the tip and tail, added features including tail kicks and flexible fin set ups, and varying stability points throughout the board, all of which make river SUP boards more stable, more maneuverable, and more playful than your traditional flat water/lake paddle boards. No more powering through waves all to have your momentum halted while you fly off the now, you’ll be punching up and over waves with ease! So, with that we give you our top picks for river SUP boards:
#1 Hala Radito
Photo: Nola Svoboda
Coming it at #1 is our top favorite paddle board of all time (not only for rivers, but for flat water as well). The Radito is hands down the best do-it-all one-quiver board. It excels in rivers because of its stability, combined with perfect blend of flat/rocker it tracks easily on flat water with out being too “squirly,” and easily maneuvers through technical sections while floating with ease up and over (or down) waves. Add in the Hala Gear’s Low-Pro river fins and Hala’s one-of-a-kind patented StompBox and you have yourself the one true, perfect paddle board.
Check out our review of the Hala Radito HERE to see why this board is our number one pick for all rivers!
#2 Hala Atcha 86/96
Photo: Vera Sharp
At #2 is the Hala Atcha 86 and 96. The Hala Atcha models are river specific paddle boards through and through. They boast a ton of rocker throughout the board, which makes them extra fun to play around on! You won’t be going anywhere very fast, or straight for that matter, but you will be able to spin it, whip it, kick it, surf it, and maneuver it boards with ease. The Atcha 96 (9’6”) is Hala’s flagship river model, and the 86 (8’6”) is its little bother. Newer whitewater paddle boarders will enjoy the 96’s stability, while those looking for a more playful/surfy board will love the 86!
Check out this video of both Atcha’s getting technical in Telluride!
#3 Badfish Rivershred
Photo: Badfish SUP
Coming in right behind the Hala Atcha’s at #3 is the Badfish Rivershred. Really the two models from these two different brands could be close cousins. The Badfish Rivershred boasts a ton of rocker, meant to tackle the biggest waves. The Rivershred also does things a bit different with its overall shape design and fin setup. Coming in at one size, it’s incredibly similar to feel of the Atcha 96, and it’s performance is on par with it as well.
A quick reminder about river SUP safety…
PFDs are required by law!
NEVER wear ankles leash on the river!
Thank you Hala Gear, for slapping this important info right on the board!
What NOT to do…!
As with the start of every season, we regularly come across paddle boarders lacking PFDs because they did not know they are required by law. Yep, that’s right! According to Colorado State and US Coast Guard regulations, one PDF per person is required on board, AND children 13 and under are required to wear a PDF at all times.
Interestingly enough, we are also seeing a new trend. An increasing number of people getting out on rivers wearing ankle leashes. We assume this is a combination of many SUP manufacturers are now including them within their packages, combined with a lack of proper education. Many people think they need to wear leashes on EVERY body of water, but unfortunately do not know that there are specific leashes made for rivers. And manufacturers including leashes in their packages and leash manufacturers themselves are not including educational information as to how, when and where those leashes are appropriate to wear.
The fact that most people starting out on rivers don’t know is that, leashes (or any other rope like accessory) attached or not, is EXTREMELY dangerous on any river because they can become tangled around hidden objects under water. Leashes/ropes/tethers or dangly things of any kind can pull down and trap you under water, and unless you have a way to quickly detached from your leash (or whatever you’re attached to), you will drown.
A sad story and a not-so-perfect example came out of last summer and a woman who was SUPing on a mellow section on the Gunnison River just outside of Gunnison, fell off her board and became entangled in a strainer (a fallen tree hidden under water) and drowned because she could not detach herself and break free from the ankle leash she was wearing. Read here…
Fortunately, thanks to many river specific SUP brands and companies like Hala Gear and Badfish who make paddle and surf boards specific for rivers and river surfing, river specific SUP leashes have been developed! The rule is simple. Ankle leashes should only be worn on reservoirs/lakes/ponds/oceans, that’s it. If you feel you need to wear a leash on a river, quick-release leashes (the kind that attach to your PFD with a quick-release mechanism) are the only leashes you should wear on a river. Period.
However, a word of caution, you should ONLY wear a quick release leash IF you know how to properly use it as it can also become tangled and the release mechanism may fail. We do not recommend wearing a leash in smaller, tighter, more technical rivers where the chances of becoming wrapped around rocks or entangled in trees is greater.
It’s up to each one of us to educate ourselves and others on proper SUP safety. If you see someone without a PDF on their board (or not wearing it when they should be), or improperly wearing a leash, SPEAK UP! Inform them of their mistake and explain why it’s dangerous. And retailers and paddle board manufacturers, before selling a board and a leash, educate your customers on when, where and how to use the leash they are purchasing. Together, we can save lives!
Thanks for reading! Share this post, play safe and we’ll see you on the water!