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CCHS - Cañon City High School On Line - CCHS |
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Echo Canyon’s exclusive Raft and Rail package, which combines the excitement of river rafting with a more serene 12-mile train ride through the Royal Gorge, provided a full day of fun for us and for the numerous families that floated near us on the river. In its second season on the market, the Parkdale Raft and Rail Package makes an ideal family day trip, said Andy Neinas, co-owner and operator of Echo Canyon River Expeditions. The Parkdale section of the river, also referred to as the Bighorn Sheep Canyon section, runs from the community of Parkdale to Canon City. It is gentle enough for children, who must be at least 6 years old and weigh 50 pounds, but exciting enough for adults, Neinas said. Our day began at 8:45 a.m., when we checked in at Echo Canyon headquarters, located on U.S. 50, eight miles west of Canon City. We were fitted with lifejackets and given the chance to rent wet suits or “river booties,” not the most fashionable pieces of rubber, but worth it if you don’t own a pair of sport sandals. We don’t recommend wearing sneakers because they will get wet and stay wet for the rest of the day. We were offered helmets as well, an optional piece of equipment on the Parkdale raft and rail trip, but required on the Royal Gorge raft and rail trip, which takes place on the Royal Gorge section of the river. This section is much more difficult and only people age 15 and older may attempt it. We chose not to wear helmets, as did most of the other adults on the trip. Before the trip kicked off at 9:30 a.m., we had to sign the “Acknowledgement of Risks and Release” form. The raft guides are allowed to refuse service to anyone deemed physically or medically unfit for the trip, but this rarely happens, Neinas said. As long as you fit into a life jacket, which accommodates a chest width of 52 inches, you should be good to go, he said. At 9:30, we boarded a bus and were taken to the “trailhead.” We endured a 15-minute safety speech on the road, but every minute was well worth it. Echo Canyon guides informed (and scared) us about every possible situation that could arise on the river. But we felt more than prepared as we exited the bus and met our guides. We took part in a Class II and III rafting trip. Rapids are classified on a scale of I to VI, the safety instructor said - Class I being “your bathtub” and Class VI being “your bathtub on your honeymoon.” Neinas also described Class VI rapids as “going over Niagara Falls in a barrel with your hair on fire.” No such excitement was had on this trip. In fact, Maisel said many times throughout the trip, if only the water level were higher, the rapids would be larger and more thrilling. The water level in the Parkdale section was running at approximately 450 cubic feet per second, according to a chart at Echo Canyon’s office. The normal level this time of year is about 2,000 cfs, Maisel said, comparing a cubic foot of water to the size of a basketball. The river is a few feet lower than usual for this time of year, he said. Our Class III rapids were of moderate difficulty, but ideal for families. We received a quick paddling lesson before we literally flopped into our rafts, each of which can hold six passengers and a guide, but we found out that paddling in air is a bit easier than it is in the water. We eventually got the hang of the forward and back paddle strokes. Toward the end of the nine-mile, two-hour trip, we purposely sent ourselves into a spin down a rapid, with the left side paddling backward and the right side paddling forward. We must have spun about six times until we slowed down upon hitting calmer waters. The quality of the trip is up to you, Maisel said. Some groups are dull and don’t want to paddle, he said, and others are excited to be on the river and get the most out of it. After rafting, Echo Canyon provided lunch for its raft and rail guests at a private riverside area. In addition to lunch, we were able to change into dry clothes for the Royal Gorge Route train ride back to Canon City. Following lunch, the train picked us up a few hundred feet away from the river. A quick tour of the train revealed additional seating in the front cars and concessions, gift shop and wet bar in the back. We chose to enjoy the 10 mph, hour-long train ride in the middle, riding aboard the open-air observation car. We were joined by approximately 100 other travelers, who peered over the railings with cameras in hand. Oohs and ahs filled the car, as we watched kayakers turn over in the Royal Gorge rapids and return to the surface.
About 20 minutes later our attention was redirected upward as we looked at the Royal Gorge Bridge suspending high above us. We even crossed over our own bridge as the train squeezed through the gorge at a width of 30 feet. This “hanging bridge” actually hangs over the river, supported by beams set into the sheer pegmatite granite walls. Moments later, our train ride came to an end at the Historic Sante Fe Avenue Depot, built in 1914. The entire train experience, depot included, brings back a sense of nostalgia for the late 1800s, said Laurie Manning, director of passenger services. The Echo Canyon vehicle then transports you from the depot back to Echo Canyon to gather your belongings. A $20 photo is available for purchase at the Echo shop. To save a few extra bucks, we suggest a waterproof camera to take your own pictures. The cost of Echo Canyon’s Parkdale Raft and Rail trip is $77.75 per adult and $52.75 per child. It’s not a price saver, because buying a half-day Parkdale rafting trip and a ticket on the Royal Gorge Route separately is actually cheaper by $10. But after taxes, convenience, the money you would save on gas and lunch, the extra couple dollars is worth it, Neinas said. In addition, the time that the package saves is tremendous, he said. A family probably wouldn’t be able to find enough time to put all that this package offers into one day and it wouldn’t be a continuous experience. If you want a wilderness feel, this rafting trip is not necessarily for you. The Parkdale section of the river runs alongside U.S. 50 and the buzzing of the cars doesn’t completely subtract you from city life. For a wilderness feel, the Royal Gorge river rafting trip would be a better choice. Also, while in the area, you might try experiencing the Royal Gorge from a different viewpoint. Only 12 miles west of Canon City hangs the the Royal Gorge Bridge, the world’s highest suspension bridge at 1,053 feet above the canyon floor. If you feel a little nauseated at that height, try viewing the gorge from the park's incline railway, the steepest in the world at a 45-degree angle.
Hungry? Try the park's $3.50 funnel cake. But we suggest you eat it near the park's patio. High winds, which are common at the park, can really make a mess of that powdered sugar. After fueling up on a funnel cake, soar across the gorge on the aerial tram and onto the park's newest additions - the mountain encampment, petting zoo and historical display. Mike Bandera, vice president and general manager of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, is excited about the park's new Big Horn Retreat. The three-bedroom log cabin sits atop a ridge overlooking the beautiful Royal Gorge. We think the lodge would be ideal for honeymooners! Dorothy Day, park sales manager, gave a starting cost of around $200, but said it really depends on the time of year, needs and number people. Admission to the park is $14 for children under 11, and $17 for adults. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Although it is tiring, these destinations can be experienced in one or two days. Viewing a natural wonder, engineering marvels and white-water rapids while staying close to home can’t be done in most parts of the country. We advise you to take advantage of Colorado’s beauty. More details listed below...
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