The Global Paddling Community

Playspot: USA, Colorado, Glenwood Springs area, Roaring Fork, Cemetary run

What's it like

Cemetary is a long run with many holes, waves, and eddies:

The big hole is up top. There is a big eddie on river right. At good levels, there will also be a small playable hole on river right just above the eddie. Below the hole there are many wave trains to wavewheel on.

Immediately after a turn in the river you will see a rock sticking up and an eddie on river left. There is a small hole in there that you can get a couple of ends out of. Then just below that, there is a creek coming into the river, with an eddie on river left. Get into the eddie: the incoming creek creates a bunch of waves just off the eddie about 3 to 4 feet big. Below that it turns right into a wave train. Keep following the river down. it has again many wave trains to wavewheel on. There are also many great squirt eddies along the way.

Next, you will see a big log in the river with an eddie on river right. Just below that there is a big hole right in the middle of the river, with an eddie on the left. Below that there are many large [3-6] foot waves and a rock on river left that you can splat really easily.

Next it turns into class 3 waves that you can surf or wavewheel and there is yet another small hole on river right.

Since you are probably tired of all these waves and holes by now, you will now meet a nice, long, boring section. Just before getting really bored, the next play paradise shows up: an area with 3 or 4 small holes scattered around.

The take out is on river left, with a dock-like structure making an eddie. This is probably one of the best squirt eddies in the country, with a very powerful line that will take you vertical almost every time.

How to get there

To get to the put in, get off the I-70 at Glenwood Springs. Get on highway 82 and follow it for 5 miles, until you see a small road on the right (if you miss that road, you will come to a traffic light). Follow this road until you get to the bridge. You will see a large pullout.

The take out is on the other side of the river in Glenwood Springs. Once on 82, take the first right after the bridge. Then take the next right and then a left. Follow this across the river, and take a left. You will see a large sign that says 'Vetlus Park', and you are there.

Locals

This is a very popular run and you will encounter fishermen, rafters, cranky old people that live along the river and cows, many cows.

Info sources

Carl Cloyed