If you ever need to train Scouts in the uses of canoes or rafts in a stream, so that they can experience rapids and rocks before you make a longer trip; here is the place. There is a four-mile length of the South Platte River, from the Kassler Water Treatment Plant into the inlet of Chatfield Lake, that is available. It is a short drive and you can repeat the trip as many times as you wish. How to get there: Gain access to C470 and head to the southwestern part of the Metropolitan area. Exit C470 at the Wadsworth exit and proceed south on CO75. Drive south past the west entrance to Chatfield State Park down to Kassler Road/Waterton Road which exits to the south from the 4-lane highway. You will pass a State Highway maintenance building, then pass the road that takes you to the parking area for Waterton Canyon. The bridge over the Platte River is next, it is time to look for a parking space. There are two options; park in the gravel storage area next to the river if the gate is open. The other option is to park alongside the road to the north of the bridge. You will need to carry your canoe or raft about 300 feet downstream from the bridge,150 feet below the dam. The water can vary depending on the time of year or the amount of water being released by the Denver Water Department. If the water is moving make sure that your Scouts are on their knees, there will be fast water, rapids, and rocks. Reference the map for notes about rapids and rocks. There will be several small lakes along the side of the river, be sure to stop and look around. Some adults will need to drive back to the west entrance of Chatfield State Park to pick up the group. From the west entrance of Chatfield Park drive south 2.5 miles through the park making the loop south of the lake. Where the road crosses the South Platte River there are parking spaces on both the south and north side of the road. This is the easiest spot to exit the river.
Created on: 2024-09-10 18:46:09