Eagle River
A great option for Spring whitewater adventures, the Eagle River waters run wild May through July. A legendary high country drainage, the Eagle’s water comes primarily from snowmelt, much of which courses directly off the slopes of nearby Vail Mountain Ski Area. The frozen streambed awakens from hibernation in late April, rising within a matter of weeks to become a pulsating whitewater deluge.
The Ute Indians claimed that the stream gushing down from present-day Tennessee Pass had as many tributaries as an eagle’s tail had feathers. Hence the Eagle River earned its name. Local action has effectively prohibited dams from being constructed on the river or on any of its many tributaries, so the Eagle remains one of the few free-flowing rivers in the nation.
Catch the Eagle if you can! Two guided sections make this a mandatory high-country spring adventure.
Check out detailed descriptions and river difficulty on the left to find out what trip best suits your experience and interest.