Gateway, Colorado to Dewey Bridge in Utah is the last reach of the Dolores River, ending at its confluence with the Colorado River, with the take-out about one mile down the Colorado River at the BLM Dewey Bridge boat ramp. The first 8+ miles of this reach are more open with mostly gentle water, but at about 4.0 miles you will encounter Diversion Rapid, a Class III rough drop that may or may not be runnable depending upon water level. It can be scouted or portaged on either side, but the left is generally best. One last canyon will be visited in this section. It starts about 8.5 miles into this trip after departing the Gateway launch area. The canyon is a magnificent formation offering natural campsites and many places to explore by hiking in side canyons along the way. This 33.7 mile reach is mostly slow-moving flatwater with some Class II to III rapids, and one called Stateline Rapid (aka Chicken Raper - I ain't gonna touch that one!) that merits a solid Class IV to IV+ rating, depending upon flow conditions. Run it wrong and you may feel like a raped chicken may feel. Beaver Falls, about 3.1 miles below Chicken Raper, is a riverwide boulder garden that is very bony in low water conditions and an E-ticket ride at normal to high flows. Both of these rapids are rife with boulders and holes, many of which can become boat flippers.

The real joy on this run is the beautiful natural scenery everywhere you look. Below Chicken Raper the canyon narrows and its walls rise from the river to give paddlers a true sense of wilderness adventure. Signs of civilization are nowhere to be seen or heard. The only negative is its short season of about two months in normal years. Runs start at an elevation of 4,550 feet msl and drop 458 feet in 33.7 miles at about 14 fpm. This section is runnable in canoes, kayaks and rafts, though canoeists and kayakers should have at least strong intermediate level whitewater skills to successfully negotiate the more technical rapids that will be encountered. Below Beaver Falls the Dolores tames quite a lot on its way to the Colorado River confluence about 22 miles later. The canyon is tight and the rapids are decidedly easier and more straightforward than Sateline or Beaver Falls, but do not take the for granted. The gradient is still sufficient to provide a good current, but it is decidely slower than upriver where it is steeper and narrower.

Expect more traffic, including a lot of raft traffic, on this section. Runs into Utah require a cost-free permit from the Moab office of BLM (435-259-7012), but there is no group size limit, but it is strongly advised to limit group size due to the technical difficulty of Stateline and Beaver Falls rapids where a problem could split a group and delay progress for a few hours. The BLM office can also provide information about river conditions, shuttles, etc.

Technically, there are at least three possible access points between Gateway Access and Dewey Bridge, but considering the condition of the unimproved dirt roads and the time required to use them taking at at Dewey Bridge is usually the only logical termination point for Gateway Canyon trips. The otrher access points are listed primarily as emergency take-outs, if needed.

Mesa County, Colorado and Grand County, Utah near Grand Junction in far western Colorado and far eastern Utah. The West Dolores, Animas, Piedra, Gunnison, Colorado and San Miguel Rivers all flow nearby.

Durango 198 miles; Grand Junction 60 miles; Denver 306 miles; Moab 140 miles; Salt Lake City 345 miles; Albuquerque 410 miles; Phoenix 652 miles; Oklahoma City 931 miles; Dallas 1,090 miles; Austin 1,113 miles; San Antonio 1,021 miles; Houston 1,263 miles (all distances are approximate and depend upon starting point, destination point on the river and route taken.)

The current runs slow during the late spring and early summer, but too low to navigate at other times during normal years. Water quality is generally very good to excellent, flowing clean, clear and cold, but not drinkable without boiling or purifying by other methods. Be sure to check the flow before you go. Because of the cold water temperature, and the often cool air temperature, layered water-repelling garments (non-cotton) are highly recommended to prevent hypothermia.

Generally, the optimum season is from late spring through early summer, though the season may be extended or reduced according to the depth of the snow pack and/or recent local rains. Flow is usually best from April into early June. This section of the Dolores River is seldom navigable from July through late April due to insufficient water.

This last reach of the Dolores River departs Gateway in a wide open valley which has some Class II-III rapids, and a couple with serious potential hazard threats. Chicken Raper / Stateline Rapid (Class IV to IV+) is located about 8.5 miles below the put-in and extends downriver for about one half mile. It requires being on your game and not hesitating when executing control maneuvers, which are necessary continuously through this rapid. The scout is on river right before the canyon narrows, and the run is to the right. About midway through the rapid the river bends to the right with a strong draw to the left wall - avoid this like the plague! An expert kayakers MAY be able to run the left side, but it is likely to be clogged with downed trees and completely impassable. Paddle hard to river right and take the right channel around the second island. Watch out for a log jam of dead fallen trees at the tip of this island, which acts as a natural collection area for debris washing downriver. And when discretion becoems the better part of valor there is always the possibility of portaging the rapid on either side along dirt roads, but it is a long carry! Still, that option exists if and when it is necessary to exercise it.

From here, the walls start to tighten and the cliffs start to get taller as you enter a gorgeous sandstone canyon that reminds you have far removed from civilization you are when you are here. About 3.1 miles after successfully negotiating Chicken Raper comes Beaver Falls (Class III to IV), a boulder garden across the river that extends for a short distance downriver. There is really no good spot from which to scout Beaver Falls. As golfers like to say, "Grip it and rip it!" Canoes and kayaks can more easily pick a line and work their way through, but rafts will have a harder time making the turns, especially in low water conditions, due to the number , size and placement of boulders strewn throughout the channel from the outflow of Beaver Creek. After Beaver Falls the river settles back down to a more leisurely flatwater stream with occasional smaller rapids.

Gateway Access (N 38° 40' 50.76" / W 108° 58' 49.98") on river left after the SH 141 Bridge at 0.0 miles; BLM Road 109 (N 38° 47' 48.48" / W 109° 10' 19.49") on river right at a right bend at about 20.10 miles; BLM Road 106 (N 38° 49' 05.43" / W 109° 14' 36.95") off BLM Road 107 on river right at the dirt road at about 27.30 miles; BLM Road 107 (N 38° 48' 36.10" / W 109° 16' 27.26") on either side at about 30.4 miles; Dewey Bridge (N 38° 48' 40.92" / W 109° 18' 29.43") Access on the Colorado River on river left at about 33.70 miles. There may be other access points on this section of the Dolores and Colorado Rivers, but much of the property adjoining the river is private, so please avoid trespassing.

There are no campgrounds along this section of the Dolores River. However, abundant natural campsites are available. Please observe the following use rules to insure that the river remains a pristine and wonderful place to paddle:

1. Fire pans are required for all open fires. Debris MUST be carried out;
2. Porta-potties are required for all human waste, which MUST be carried out;
3. Dogs must be on leashes at all times in camp;
4. Dog feces MUST be collected and carried out;
5. Strainers MUST be used for dishwater, and food debris MUST be carried out;
6. A scrim material should be used for kitchen floors to collect dropped food. All food debris MUST be carried out.

Because of limited campsites, courtesy in setting up camps and not intruding, either physically or by noise, on other campers is expected. When meeting other groups on the way downriver discussions about campsites should be undertaken so that groups know where each other are going to be staying. Cooperation on these simple rules and common courtesies will go a long way toward making your Dolores River trip enjoyable for yourself and others who are on the river. If you pack it in, then pack it out. Take only photographs and memories - leave only footprints!

Shuttle distance for this section is moderately long - about 1-2 hours one way on paved roads depending upon starting and ending points, so plan accordingly. Shuttle information may be available from the BLM at 970-882-7296 (Dolores) or 970-240-5300 (Montrose). Rentals and shuttles may be available from any of several outfitters serving the Dolores and surrounding rivers. Other outfitters elsewhere in Colorado and other states may also provide services on the Dolores River.

This last reach of the Dolores River is a very popular run and will usually have a higher number of rafts than on some sections of the river. The spectacular canyons, desert topography and gorgeous natural surroundings make for a wilderness adventure trip that can be 1-3 days long depending upon paddling skills, flow and the amount of time you have to spend on the river. Exploring side canyons can add a day or more to trips here. Be prepared for some serious whitewater at two major rapids that rate Class III+ to IV status, and that means you need to dry everything in and lash it to your boat - just in case! If you don't get enough river by the time you reach Dewey Bridge, then just continue on downriver to Moab, or beyond, on the Colorado River.