"We just wanted to let you all know how much we enjoyed our two rafting trips with you. Neither of us had ever been whitewater rafting, so we really weren't sure what to expect. Thanks again, Los Rios! We will be back next summer for another rafting adventure!"
Richard and Karen Ramey
"We recently returned from a fantastic white water trip ... Leslie was our guide and she was amazing. We wanted to compliment her and Los Rios River Runners for making this a memorable and fantastic trip for my wife and I and our two young girls."
Terry, Olga, Nikki and Amanda LaBell
Edmonds, WA
"I wanted to thank you guys (and especially our awesome guide Bruce) for a wonderful trip. My son Evan and I had a great time that was all too short. It was Evan's first time rafting and I really wanted him to enjoy it. Well, not only did he enjoy it but he immediately asked when we could do the Taos Box, and went on line to email the photos to all his friends."
Rachel Maurer
Santa Fe, NM
"My friends and I had a great time rafting the Taos Box, Orilla Verde and the Racecourse. The company, guidance and food that Bruce, other guides and staff provided was stellar. It was an AWESOME weekend."
Jennifer S., Dallas, TX
Lower Gorge Full Day Rafting Adventure
Spend a full day on the river in the spectacular Rio Grande Gorge, with walls rising to 1,500 feet. The morning is the gentle Orilla Verde section, flanked by green meadows. After a riverside lunch, we head into the rollercoaster Class 3 rapids of the Racecourse.
The perfect trip for those who want to experience the thrill of whitewater, but ease gradually into it.
FUNYAK IT! Try paddling your own inflatable one-person or two-person miniature raft, accompanied by a guide. Also known as duckies, funyaks are stable and easy to maneuver. You will get a comprehensive lesson at the beginning of the trip.
WHITEWATER RATING: Class 3 (4 in super-high water)
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM AGE: 6 (12 in high water, 16 in super-high water)
MEET: 9.30 a.m., Rio Grande Gorge Visitors Center (Hwy 68 in Pilar, between mile markers 28 and 29). Return to your vehicle approx. 3.30 p.m.
SEASON: March to November. (Los Rios rafts earlier and later than any other company.) High water usually late May/early June. Low water has steep, bouldery drops and is more technically challenging.
PRICE: $89 adults, $79 children 12 and under. Does not include tax and federal user fee. Group discount available, extra discount for school and Scout groups.
WE PROVIDE: All rafting and safety equipment including life-jacket, helmet if desired/required, waterproof jacket and pants, transportation to and from meeting place, generous deli-style buffet lunch. Wetsuit rental $10. Neoprene booties rental $5.
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MAJOR RAPIDS OF THE RACECOURSE: |
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| The Maze |
Class 3 |
| Albert Falls | Class 3 |
| Eye of the Needle | Class 3 (2 in high water) |
| The Narrows | Class 3 (3+ in high water) |
| Dead Foot Falls | Class 2+ |
| No Name Rapid | Class 2+ |
| Big Rock | Class 3+ (4 in high water) |
| Sleeping Beauty | Class 3 |
| Souse Hole | Class 3 (4 in high water) |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – LOWER GORGE:
Will I be in an oar boat or a paddle boat?
Most people prefer a paddle boat, where participants power the boat following the guide's instructions. You will be in a paddle boat unless you request an oar boat, where the guide is in full control of the boat and you can choose to paddle or just hang on.
Do I have to know how to swim?
We prefer participants to be able to swim, especially in high water. Risk is higher for non-swimmers. You must be able to assist in your own rescue in the event you fall out of the boat.
Am I going to fall out of the boat?
It’s possible. We try to avoid it. Good paddling will help keep you in the boat. The average number of people who take an unscheduled swim is probably well below 10%.
Can you run the Lower Gorge no matter what the water level is?
Yes.
Doesn't the whitewater rating go down in low water?
No. The rating is a measure of difficulty, not water. Some rapids are trickier at low water levels.
Is low water boating boring?
No! It's not the wet and wild rollercoaster you see on TV – it's more like a wet bumper-car ride. Read an article about low-water boating [LINK]
Do I have to wear a helmet?
Helmets are optional on the morning section of the Lower Gorge (the Orilla Verde) and mandatory on the afternoon section (the Racecourse).
Should I funyak it?
If you're an adventurous sort, funyaking ramps up the adrenalin level considerably. It's the perfect starter trip for those who want to paddle genuine rapids: the mellow Orilla Verde section in the morning gives you practice before you head into the Racecourse after lunch. We funyak at levels below 800 cfs.
Can my child go if he/she is below the recommended minimum age?
Maybe. It's a recommendation, not a rule. If your child is well-grown, adventurous, and a good swimmer, we will consider it. Please phone to discuss it with us.
What if the weather's bad?
We don't cancel because of rain: usually it doesn't last long, and let's face it you're going to get wet anyway! Early- and late-season trips are subject to our weather policy: if the predicted high temperature is less than 50 degrees, we give you the option of cancelling at no charge to you. It helps if you can be flexible within a few days so we can choose the most suitable day for boating. The decision is made the day before the trip.
What exactly does lunch consist of?
As soon as we hit the beach, we provide chips and salsa and drinks (sodas, juice, and water) while the guides prepare a fresh sandwich buffet. Typically we have two or three choices of bread (whole wheat, rye, sourdough, etc.); sliced meats (roast beef, turkey, ham); sliced cheese (cheddar and mozzarella); fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, red onions, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, and avocadoes; and condiments such as mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, green chile, salt and pepper. Have more than one sandwich if you like! This is followed by freshly sliced fruit such as pineapple or melon and cookies.
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