Lakes and Jet Ski's

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by ajwgroomer

What about river tubing? Any nice rivers around? We don't mind driving a couple hours.

Maybe go rafting instead. I would recommend a drive to Buena Vista or Salida and a ride on the Arkansas River.

You're there a good time of the year for this.

There is also rafting closer to Denver on Clear Creek, but the Ark is a far superior tourist experience.

[davidv]

Some things to note:

Water in rivers and reservoirs is COLD, even in July. The water is snowmelt and it doesn't warm significantly before it hits the plains.

Rafting is awesome fun, but also can be dangerous. Every year someone dies, even with the commercial guides. In 2015 an 11-year-old died after being thrown from his raft. Depending on the river's speed, the violence of the rapids, and the cold water. If you fall out of a raft you have 2-5 minutes to get to safety before you risk dying.

Tubing is also fun and is frequently done in town on the Platte River, Bear Creek, Clear Creek, and Boulder Creek. Same rules apply as above. The creeks in town are prone to flash floods, so they can get really nasty in a hurry.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by davidv

Some things to note:

Water in rivers and reservoirs is COLD, even in July. The water is snowmelt and it doesn't warm significantly before it hits the plains.

Rafting is awesome fun, but also can be dangerous. Every year someone dies, even with the commercial guides. In 2015 an 11-year-old died after being thrown from his raft. Depending on the river's speed, the violence of the rapids, and the cold water. If you fall out of a raft you have 2-5 minutes to get to safety before you risk dying.

Tubing is also fun and is frequently done in town on the Platte River, Bear Creek, Clear Creek, and Boulder Creek. Same rules apply as above. The creeks in town are prone to flash floods, so they can get really nasty in a hurry.

The Arkansas is one of the most heavily commercially rafted rivers in the country.There is risk in everything, but in taking a guided tour of the Ark, it is minimal.

Don't let david scare you off if it seems like something you would enjoy.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

The Arkansas is one of the most heavily commercially rafted rivers in the country.There is risk in everything, but in taking a guided tour of the Ark, it is minimal.

Don't let david scare you off if it seems like something you would enjoy.

Not trying to scare anyone off, but apparently you've never known anyone who drowned while rafting the Arkansas. I know three.

Last year 13 people drowned in rafting accidents. Five of those were commercial deaths.

It is unlikely that a person would die doing many things, but you take precautions anyway. Just want people to know the risk.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by davidv

Not trying to scare anyone off, but apparently you've never known anyone who drowned while rafting the Arkansas. I know three.

Last year 13 people drowned in rafting accidents. Five of those were commercial deaths.

It is unlikely that a person would die doing many things, but you take precautions anyway. Just want people to know the risk.

I've spent a good portion of my life paddling. 70+ days a year for a few seasons. I know plenty.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by davidv

Water in rivers and reservoirs is COLD, even in July. The water is snowmelt and it doesn't warm significantly before it hits the plains.

Good info since the OP's family is coming up from Houston. Chances are runoff in a mountain river is going to be a lot colder than the water coming out of the faucet back home. That can be a bit of a shock to the system if you aren't aware of it.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Good info since the OP's family is coming up from Houston. Chances are runoff in a mountain river is going to be a lot colder than the water coming out of the faucet back home. That can be a bit of a shock to the system if you aren't aware of it.

Yeah, snowmelt = cold river water, and more so since tourists usually are not wearing immersion gear that whitewater kayakers assume is the norm. It's not like jetskiing in a shallow lower-altitude reservoir such as Cherry Creek.

[SkyDog77]

Good grief!

Here is a list of outfitters. They take thousands and thousands of people down the Ark every summer. Runs range from mellow to intense. Choose your own adventure. Outfitters provide gear.

http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/pa...fitterList.pdf