Fall Rafting

The air starting to cool down, but we're still run'n hot! The benefits of fall rafting: private experiences on the Rio Grande! With the season coming to a close, Los Rios is often the only rafts on the river! Instead of hundreds of boats working their way down the rapids, it is often just your trip out on a scenic adventure! Come down for full day and half day experiences! With booties and wet suits available rafting on the Rio Grande can be a great way to spend a day! Want to avoid getting very wet? Try our calm Orilla Verde section floats or our lovely sunset dinner floats! Have a float down the river then a delicious meal! Let us continue to love our river!
For more information on our adventures:
http://losriosriverrunners.com/

Los Rios Guests Save A Cow!

A few weeks ago a family was taking an overnight trip down the beautiful Rio Chama. This wilderness area is host to lots of wildlife, and is range land for many local rancher's cattle.
As our guides Jeff and Bradley were rowing by a cow was seen trapped in the mud on the banks of the river. Being monsoon season it can be very muddy on the shore and this poor cow had wondered out too far near the water and became entrenched in the muck.
Our guide Jeff happened to have had guests from an Oklahoma cattle ranch* in his boat and they decided to assist the unlucky bovine. Pulling the boat over nearby, the family hoped out, coaxing the cow until she broke free of the mud and made it back to the grassy safety of the bank!
Thanks to our guests and guides for this heroic rescue!

*The family could not be reached for comment! If they r

ead this and would like to please email us via our contact link on the website!

A Family Adventure on the Rio Grande Racecourse!

The Bertain Rafting Team Gearing up for their run!

The racecourse section of the Rio Grande... A treasure of class 3 rapids. Aptly named for the annual Mother's Day race, this section is fun, exciting, and very challenging. The perfect way for a family to spend half a day, an a great taste of whitewater on the Rio Grande. 

This June the Bertain family decided to take a cross country road trip, and the girls of the family were on the hunt for adventure! Clad in PFDs they set off one morning for the Rio Grande Racecourse!

Picked up at the Rio Grande Gorge visitor center they were whisked off to our "put-in", known as Quartzite for the pinkish metamorphic rock decorating river left. The Pilar cliffs contain Precambrian rocks, and the pink coloration of the quartzite is from the manganese-rich epidote mineral. Much of the Racecourse follows the famous Embudo Fault line, a very active geologic feature, creating a fascinating geology along the river.

Safety speeches given, hand signals taught, into the raft they go to brave the beauty of the Rio Grande Racecourse.

River Guides always point Positive!

First: a paddle lesson. In good hands with senior guide Suzie Benton, they learn paddle commands, proper paddle position, forward and back, as a team we'll get this boat through!

Senior Guide Suzie Benton, Box Guide and Bird Expert!

Bump off a rock, learn how it feels, most important rule of boating: Stay in the boat! 

First big section of rapids: The Maze. Technical class 2 and 3 rapids, it's the perfect training ground for our new boatmen! While we float down, check out the red willows along the shore, the pueblo people are known as the red willow people, using these plants for making baskets and other crafts.

Next up on the rapids list, the Narrows, a fun set of 3+ rapids, our heros practice thier new paddle commands and work as a team to brave the wave trains! At the end of the Narrows is Eye of the Needle and a very quick left-right turn is made to thread the infamous "needle!"

Entering Herringbone Rapid!

Now on to Herringbone, stay river left so the boat can make it through this tricky channel! After making it down comes Albert Falls, aptly named for the famous scientist Albert Einstein of whom would visit this section to fly fish with the scientists of Los Alamos. The fractured and faulted quartzite on this section indicates the continuation of the Embudo Fault.

Los Rios is ready to ride the Rio Grande!

Our family-team couldn't believe the excitement was only half over when they floated under the Glenwoody Bridge, installed in 1902 it is one of the oldest bridges in Northern New Mexico. In the early 1900s it was used to connect the road to a failed gold mining camp on river right.

So many moves to make! Good thing Suzie knows this river!

Taking a break under the bridge, Suzie explains the dynamics of a proper "high-side" technique in preparation for the wild rapid known as Big Rock. Going down an S-shaped wave train the raft must avoid slamming into the boat-flipper rock Co-Pilot, slide through without getting caught on the sneaky stone aptly named Velcro without getting stuck and finally slip through the slot right of Big Rock while performing a well timed "high-side."

Co-Pilot from above!

 Paddling in our group is on the top of our game, navigating safely around co-pilot with a well placed back-paddle, then gliding effortlessly through the slot at Big Rock! This group was born to be river runners!

Resting at the bottom of Big Rock next to Baby Huey

After the harrowing escapade that is Big Rock, a moment to catch their breath is taken at the base of the huge boulder Baby Huey. Huey is a 360-ton "staurolite-garnit schist" that fell from the Pilar Cliffs above in 1991. This behemoth crashed down the slope, crushed the road (river guides jokingly say it was the only pot-hole New Mexico has ever fixed) and slid into the river to rest on the right-hand shore.
Once the moment of rejuvenation has passed it's on to Sleeping Beauty, a lovely class 3 rapid boats can traverse side ways, backwards, or even spinning over. At the bottom we take the opportunity to "surf" the rapid, catching the revolving water and splashing our crew with the river!

Setting up to Surf...

Caught the perfect surf! What a smile!

Catching sight of some petriglyph images of a lizard and shield symbols, our group gallivants off to Souse Hole. A great class 3 rapid that can be come a class 5 at higher water~ Created by the cienega wetland constricting the water channel, our team puckers up for their picture taken by the photographers of Southern Exposure which hang out to catch the action at Souse Hole.
When the photo-shoot finishes, its down the curve to Last Chance, the final rapid of the Racecourse. This is your final opportunity to fly out of the boat on a rapid! Our girls make it and it's the gentle last mile of the racecourse, filled with birds, scenery, and a little swimming.

Cooling off in the river!

Spotting some international wildlife!

When they finally make it to the take out County Line our team is exhilarated, exhausted and ready for that delicious snack of cookies, fruit, and chips and salsa waiting on shore! They made it! What a fabulous way to spend an afternoon!

A happy (and a little soaked) family!

Thanks to the Bertain family for letting this Los Rios blogger photograph them, it was great to get to experience the river with your family! Hope to see ya'll again on the river!!!

For more information on our Half-Day Racecourse Adventure visit:
http://losriosriverrunners.com/racecourse

For more information on the Southern Exposure Photography Team:
http://www.southernexposurephoto.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?eventid=0&eventstatus=0&categories=no&keywords2=no&groupid=246&bw=false&sep=false

Roadtrip Nation Comes to Los Rios!

Roadtrip Nation visits the Los Rios Boathouse in their custom RV!

Los Rios River Runners was pleased to take part in the Roadtrip Nation movement, a television series on the Freedom of the Road. "Roadtrip Nation empowers you to define your own road in life instead of traveling down someone else's. We encourage you to engage in self-construction, rather than mass production. We encourage you to be proactive and actively participate in defining your future by hitting the road and learning from Leaders who have resisted The Noise of conformity and stayed true to themselves." 
Roadtrip Nation contacted Los Rios, searching for a female raft guide to interview about guiding, rafting, and the lifestyle of a river runner. Our own Sherry Grathler stepped up to the plate, expounding the ins and outs of Raft Guide life, subculture, and the freedom inherit in career seasonal guiding.
"You have full freedom, you aren't a prisoner of your life," states Sherry. Speaking positively on river guiding, both in New Mexico and around the world. Sherry started her "professional" life as a social worker. Though she believed in helping people,  the reality of people's lives began to drag her down. Sherry moved to river guiding 6 years ago, starting in Washington state on big water, and was changed forever.

Sherry's Interview

Lights, Camera, ACTION!

Raft guides go to work every day doing what they love. Their lives surround the river, and sharing that love  with the public. Sure there are challenges, hard days and upstream winds,but at the end of the day your out doing what you love! Sherry spoke to Roadtrip Nation about the challenges of being a woman guide, having to work harder with some groups to prove your worth, a challenge she gladly manages. People question guides about the career choice, asking "when are you going to get a real job?" Sherry's response, as with many guides' response is that "this is my real job." You don't have to have a dead end job that you hate, you can live the life you want to live, the only thing stopping you are your own choices and priorities!
After the heart to heart the Roadtrip Nation representatives headed out on the river, clad with go-pros to see Sherry's beloved river first hand. Funyaking down the Rio Grande Racecourse, the Roadtrip Nation crew seemed to have had a great time on the river, experiencing our lovely Rio Grande!
Los Rios River Runners would like to thank Roadtrip Nation for the awesome opportunity to be part of their movement, and hope to see them again on the river!
Check out thier awesome show at:
http://roadtripnation.com/

Cholla's are Blooming

A blooming Cholla along the Rio Chama near Big Eddy

It's late June, and the Cholla are blooming. A beautiful cactus bloom, native to New Mexico, also known as the "Walking Stick Cholla" or "Chainlink Cactus" have lovely reddish pink blooms and can be spotted along the shores of the Rio Grande and Rio Chama.
The Cholla is found in the Southwestern United States and Northern New Mexico, often growing in cooler climates compared to other cactus species.
Cholla's are a hardy species, and can grow tall, up to 15ft tall with a "trunk" of 10 inches in Diameter. The bloom typically in late spring or early summer with 2 inch wide blooms and bear yellowish cone-shaped fruits that are easily mistaken for blooms. The fruit are eaten by animals such as deer and sheep, and birds, though uneaten fruit will be retained by the plant all winter. Stems can fall from a plant and can grow a new cholla.
This is just another gorgeous feature of the flora and fauna of our Wild and Scenic Rivers of Northern New Mexico!

Volunteer River Trash Pick Up!

A few weeks ago a family booked Los Rios River Runners for a reunion of 50 people to take place on the Rio Grande. A fun way to spend time with the family to begin with, their idea of a reunion got even better!
Every year they get together and spend their reunion "making the world a better place." Spending the first half of the day on the Orilla Verde picking up trash, and then finishing the day with an exciting funyak ride down the Rio Grande Racecourse! What an amazing family!
Here at Los Rios, we greatly support the environment and the protection of our beloved National Monument! We loved the opportunity to assist with this phenomenal work, and would jump at the oppurtunity to assist with more volunteer clean ups of our favorite river! Together we can make the world a better place for our communities, nature, and the next generation.

Entering the Narrows on the Rio Grande Race Course

Thanks to river clean ups like these, water fowl and other animals can safely raise their young!

*Family could not be reached for comment

Baaaaa Ram Ewe: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Your riding in a funyak down the Middle Box section of the Rio Grande near Taos until suddenly: CLATTER CLATTER SMASH! Rocks are tumbling down to the rivers edge! You look up and there he is, a Rocky Mountain Bighorn Ram, a chest of solid muscle, huge intimidating double curled horns, and a cute white fluffy rear.
Two centuries ago the bighorns roamed the free ranges of the West, favoring steep terrain and rugged mountainous landscapes, they numbered in the millions. By 1900 due to over-hunting and disease they had declined to numbers in the thousands, by 1906 no herds existed in New Mexico. In an effort to restore the balance to the nature of the West the Game and Fish department stepped in to restore this iconic mountain animal. In 1932 they started releasing herds of bighorns, and now around 900 sheep call New Mexico home. In Taos Bighorns can be found both high above the timberline in the ski valley and Wheeler peak area, as well as the cliffs hugging the Rio Grande Gorge.
Bighorn sheep are easily distinguishable from domestic sheep breeds; they are not covered with wool but instead with a thick brown coat and a white fluffy rear. They are larger than domestic sheep with males (called rams) weighing in around 200 to 300lbs and the females, called ewes weighing around 130 to 200lbs. The most stunning feature they sport of course would be their horns, the males can have huge curling horns measured around 35 to 40 inches in length that can weigh up to 30lbs! The ewes also have horns, though short and small and only slightly curled. Unlike deer or elk their horns do not shed every season, instead they just continue to grow throughout their lifetime. These impressive apparatuses are used mostly by the rams during mating season to fight one another for females, luckily they have very thick reinforced skulls that leave them battle-ready for charging each other at speeds up to 30mph! These animals also have excellent eyesight, used for judging distances to jump from boulder to rock on steep terrain, and to keep an eye out for predators. The elastic pads on their feet act as shock absorbers while their hooves have cups in the middle to help them grip the rock as they athletically jump up to 20 feet!
The Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep is a grazing herbivore, browsing grass, willows and shrubs. Like cows they regurgitate their food and chew it again before digestion. A bit like a camel they can live on very little water, gathering H2O from snow and vegetation. The sheep are most active during the day day and live in herds: females, lambs, and adolescent rams will travel together foraging for food, while young rams can often be seen in bachelor groups or as solitary travelers. During the mating season, around October to December,  the mature rams will join the females. Rams will breed several ewes, though ewes will generally not submit to breeding until they are about 2 years old. Lambs are born 6 months later in June to July and they can traverse the rocky cliffs with their mothers in just a few days after birth!
Due to habitat infringement and mountain lion predation the herds of Northern New Mexico especially the low altitude populations congregating around the Rio Grande Gorge have been threatened, and the state is still working hard on their transplant programs.
Riding down the river is an excellent opportunity to see these magnificent animals, these symbols of the West. They are habituated to seeing boats and are less likely to flee from a raft then from humans on foot or in a car. Hunting of the Bighorn sheep is closely managed, and anti-poaching laws are strictly enforced.
One must always be on the look out for sheep in the woods and on the river! Though the rams inspiring, and the lambs painfully cute, these are not domesticated animals and should be treated as such. Never attempt to get too close or to touch a Bighorn sheep, they are wild animals and will defend themselves. Thanks to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for their efforts in bringing this important animal back to our lovely river!
More information on Bighorn Sheep can be found at:
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/bighorn/

A young Bighorn Lamb

A Rocky Mountain Bighorn Ewe

Bighorn Rams in all their glory!

More information on the afore mentioned Middle Box Funyak Adventure can be found at:
http://losriosriverrunners.com/middle-box-full-day

Photos from http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/bighorn/
Together, we can make reintroduction possible!

The Orilla Verde

A slight chill still clings to the morning air as the lone boatman sets out. White van, fading out of sight as the oars brush the water. A soft downstream breeze caresses the boat as it navigates stealthily through the shallow water, watchful of the rocks peaking the surface. Birds chitter anxiously while a red-tailed hawk preens on it's piñon perch, and the new day's sun peeks it's sleepy head through the clouds.

This meditative scene depicts the Orilla Verde, a gentle stretch of the Rio Grande ideal for those seeking peace and calm, perfect for the elderly and small children, the Orilla Verde is one of the many faces of the mighty river. It is hard to imagine that North of the Orilla Verde lies the Taos Box with it's class 5 and 6 white knuckle rapids, for here the spirit of the river sings softly.

This beautiful section of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument rides through fertile banks and the small town of Pilar. The river runs through dramatic cliffs rising 800 feet above, mingling with the clouds. It is the home to several kinds of eagles and hawks, songbirds, waterfowl, mule deer, beaver, and occasionally river otter. This sacred spot was also once a place for ancient tribes, and petroglyphs can be found along it's shores.

Like a mantra, this area can heal a troubled mind. Let the placid waters wash away your troubles and soothe the chaos of day to day life. Seek the Orilla Verde as restoration for the soul.

The quiet banks of the Orilla Verde

Floating through the scenery

A precocious Rio Grande river otter

http://losriosriverrunners.com/orilla-verde

Rock Climbing River Runners

This last week Mountain Skills Climbing took some of our staff out to channel their inner mountain goat on some thrilling climbs in the Taos area to promote their top-notch climbing programs. Mountain Skills Climbing offers a variety of climbing adventures for beginners to advanced climbers lead by professional, knowledgeable, and friendly guides providing vertical relief in New Mexico, Las Vegas NV, Thailand, and Mexico.
We at Los Rios River Runners are proud to work with Mountain Skills to provide one of our most popular Multi-sport trips, Rock 'n Raft, where our guests climb with breathtaking views in the morning, and ride the thrilling whitewater in the afternoon.
Our staff put down the paddles and PFDs to meet up with Mountain Skills to get a first-hand experience of a typical itinerary for rock-adventures. First a class 5.5 ascent up a gorgeous basalt cliff North of Taos. Jay, our guide from Mountain Skills was patient and informative as he explained how best to approach the climb, find safe handholds, trust the rope, and repel safely. With their excellent instruction, top of the line equipment, and enthusiastic attitude it was a fantastic way to start a day! After our first climb we headed towards the Rio Grande Gorge for our 100 foot repel! Overlooking our beloved Taos Box we lowered ourselves over the cliff edge to repel gently down, slow though we went the adrenaline was pumping! After all that adventure we were all ready to get back to our familiar Class 3 whitewater!
We'd like to thank Mountain Skills for the fantastic climbing lesson and urge everyone to give them a call!

Trusting the ropes!

Off the river, on the rock!

Made it!!!

Smiles after a successful climb!

This blogger is ready is to ascend that wall!

The Office and our Guide Jay sharing a moment before our 100 ft repel!

Mountain Skills can be found at:
http://climbingschoolusa.com/index.html
Or call them at:
575-776-2222 

Start the day on the wall and then cool off on the river with one of our fantastic Rock N' Raft Trips:
http://losriosriverrunners.com/rock-raft

See ya'll on the cliffs and on the river!

Rafting makes for a unique party!

Planning a bachelor or bachelorette party? Why go to Vegas, everyone goes to Vegas, and besides no one wants pull a "Brides Maids!" Come up to Northern New Mexico for a wild time! Rafting makes for a unique and special party that everybody will remember for a lifetime. Find your party thrills in the white water of the Rio Chama or the Race Course, fly down the river as a group in a raft, or try your luck solo in an inflatable kayak, whatever the itinerary riding the river makes for a rock'n party! After your wild ride: soak away your wedding worries in Ojo Caliente, then dance the night away at Taos Mesa Brewery! Make it a full day with multi-sport trips, rock-climb than raft, horseback ride then raft, or mountain bike and raft. There is an adventure for any group, even 1, 2, and 3 day trips!

Not just wedding parties, the river is a great place for family reunions, birthdays, company retreats, and anniversaries! What better way to show your loved ones how to party then escaping into the wilds of the river!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AWESOME BRIDE!

Despite Low Water the River Remains AMAZING!

As river enthusiasts we can't help but be affected by the water levels of our beloved Rio Grande. Between droughts and Colorado's irrigation taking over 90% of water flow from the Nation's newest National Monument, it can be hard for some to see only the negatives affecting the water.
But the Mighty Rio Grande remains AMAZING! Every day we still run fantastic and fun trips down the river, proudly showing off our home to visitors from around the world! These waters provide both our livelihood and recreation and we at Los Rios River Runners cannot help but remain in love with our river!
The low water gets a bad reputation but it has it's good points too: lower water is cleaner, slower, warmer, more appropriate for swimming, and better for kids and families!

Ready for a great day on the Race Course!

Ross is ready for the River!

Riding Rio Grande Rapids!

Our rookies strive to learn the finer points of boating, and the low water is a unique opportunity to intimately understand the river bed and it's construction!
So chin up gang! Our river is still the center of our lives! Lets show it a little appreciation and love by continuing to travel and adore it's waters!


*Photographs courtesy of Donia Stoenner

Mother's Day Rio Grande Whitewater Festival

What an amazing weekend! Between exciting races and informative talks there was much to see and do at this years' festival! So many great people turned out to learn and celebrate our lovely stretch of river!
The weekend kicked off with some great speakers, Paul Bauer gave an excellent presentation on the geology and hydrology of the Rio Grande, explaining the geologic history of the 30 million year old rift that the Rio Grande runs through.
The wonderful volunteers from the Espanola  Wildlife center brought live Raptors native to New Mexico, giving the audience a rare chance to see these lovely birds up close! The peregrine falcon was a star of the show, the fastest animal on Earth this little bird hunts at speeds up to 240 mph!
But what would the festival be without the spirit of competition?! Day one featured the annual "throw-bag" competition with boaters showcasing their safety rope skills! After the dust cleared four finalists were left standing. 1st place going to Joe Cameron, winning a dinner for two at the Taos Inn, in 2nd was Garret Schooley, 3rd was Los Rios' own Josh Chaumont, and in 4th was speaker Paul Bauer!

Los Rio's senior guide Sherry testing her throw bag skills in the Prelims!

Class is in with Geologist Paul Bauer!

The Peregrine Falcon showing off it's wingspan!

The Red Tailed hawk posing for the camera! 

Throw bag Competition Finals

3rd Place Winner: Los Rios River Runner's Guide Josh Showing off his prize!

Day 2 presented the highlight of the weekend with the Whitewater races! After some challenging SUP board races through obstacles and boat demos, the Mother's Day Race began! This competition began in the 70's and is the reason behind the name of this famous section of the Rio Grande: The Race Course! Featuring class 1, 2 and 3 rapids it's a fantastic 5 mile stretch of river! From the very beginning the Red Lady Rafting from Southern Colorado cut a clear win with a huge lead right from the get-go! Well practiced and totally synchronized they dominated the Race Course! Heather, Jen, Julie, and Hali came screeching into the finish line with an astounding time of 48:30 minutes! 2nd Place was Northern New Mexico's own Santa Fe Rafting at 49:31, and finally 3rd went to New Mexico River Adventures at 49:40.
Other race results can be found at the Mother's Day Rio Grande Whitewater Festival Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mdrgwf

SUP Race Obstacle Course

Mother's Day Whitewater Rafting Race!

Racers pounding through the dangerous slot near Big  Rock!

That tiny boat in the distance is the Red Ladies with their huge lead!

They're coming in for the win!!!

Victory Hug!!!

Saturday night the winners and spectators alike could be found at Taos Mesa Brewery for the Anthony Leon and the Chain show! Country-rock and a dance-off between whitewater competitors could be witnessed as the boaters took the floor with groove'n moves!

Post Race Jamming!

After all this Whitewater excitement we at Los Rios River Runners can hardly believe it's just the start to the season! Join us on this AWESOME river!!!