Snake River (North Fork) (I-70 Mountains)

Snake River (North Fork) (I-70 Mountains) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C3 I (v3a6 I) Swift water Raps:‌1, max ↨60ft Metric Overall: 30min-1h  ⟷0.2mi Approach:  ⟷245ft  ↓30ft Descent:  ⟷330ft  ↓80ft Exit:  ⟷610ft  ↑100ft No Red Tape:‌ Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger
Start:	39.6406, -105.8801
Parking:	39.6410, -105.8803
Condition Reports:
Weather:
Best season:	Jul-Sep winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Colorado Vail & Summit County

39.6406, -105.880139.6410, -105.8803https://ropewiki.com/images/3/31/Snake_River_%28North_Fork%29_%28I-70_Mountains%29.kmltopo

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Introduction

The short gorge of North Fork of the Snake River is a good practice canyon with interesting narrows above Snake River Falls.

Conditions are generally good in July and water flow tapers off in August.

Stream gauge: 09047500 SNAKE RIVER NEAR MONTEZUMA, CO
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09047500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Suggested target of ~6 cfs and "divide the streamflow value by 14" to estimate the cfs at Snake River Falls. Experts may go for more.

This waterfall is a confirmed nesting site for the Black Swift, listed as a Species of Special Concern by the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The swifts migrate from Brazil annually to occupy this site from late May until late September, raising a single chick. The swifts are susceptible to disturbance from human activities near their nests, including noise and movement, direct disturbance or destruction of their nests, and trampling of vegetation. Canyoneering/climbing at this waterfall during the Black Swift nesting season (late May - late September/first frost) is likely to cause direct damage to nests, eggs, and young, and disturb adult swifts enough to cause them to abandon their nest and offspring. Click here for more information on the Black Swift.

Approach

From I-70, drive over Loveland Pass to the south and by Arapaho Basin Ski Area at the bottom of the pass. Park on a pullout on the left (south) side of the road soon after the ski area and before a yellow sign that says "Runaway Truck Ramp 2.5 Miles".

Walk downhill for a minute from the pullout on well-worn social trails to the edge of the North Fork of the Snake River. Turn left (upstream) and drop in by a large telephone pole.

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  Drop in at the telephone pole
• 

  the narrows seen from one of the overlooks above
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  Snake River Falls from the overlook above

Descent

Hike the narrows downstream a short distance to Snake River Falls.

R1: 60' from a natural anchor or bolts on Canyon Right

pic|:NForkSnakeColorado1.jpg ~ Snake River Falls}}

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  Snake River Falls
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  stream below Snake River Falls
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  fixed line tied to a tree at the exit (2022 photo)

Exit

After Snake River Falls, the canyon widens. As of August 2022, a fixed line was tied to a tree up a steep dirt slope just downstream on Canyon Right from Snake River Falls.

Hike up one of many social trails on the north side of the canyon back to the car.

Background

Incidents

Credits

Snake River (North Fork) (I-70 Mountains)

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).