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Access Site CO

Rigor Mortis

Clear Creek • Church Ditch • Welch Ditch

Source: american_whitewater Updated 3 months ago

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City: CO
County: Jefferson
Type: Whitewater Put In
Location: 39.74328800, -105.27289500
Air Temp: --
Location
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Nearby Gauge Conditions
Clear Creek at Golden, CO Same River 2.1 mi away
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North Clear Creek above Mouth near Black Hawk, CO Same River 6.8 mi away
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Clear Creek near Lawson, CO Same River 18.9 mi away
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Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
IV Put-in Clear Creek - 08. Lower - Rigor Mortis (MM 267.2) to the diversion Dam
85 ft/mi
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Current Conditions
-- • 400.00-1000.00 cfs
Clear Creek at Golden, CO
Whitewater Runs on Clear Creek
9 runs (8 nearby)
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site: Put-in at this location This location is on the run Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
IV Put-in at this location 08. Lower - Rigor Mortis (MM 267.2) to the diversion Dam
2.9 mi 85 ft/mi
IV-V(V+) Take-out at this location 07. Black Rock - Green Bay Rock (MM 262.9) to Rigor Mortis (MM 267.2)
3.1 mi 114 ft/mi
IV Upstream from here (6.8 mi from take-out) 05. Upper Clear Creek ("Kermits")
5.4 mi 110 ft/mi
III Upstream from here (6.4 mi from take-out) 06. Middle Clear Creek
1.9 mi
III Upstream from here (11.2 mi from take-out) 04. Idaho Springs Town Run
4.7 mi
III-IV Upstream from here (16.3 mi from take-out) 03. Lawson to Idaho Springs
7.7 mi
V+ Upstream from here (30.1 mi from take-out) 02. Silverplume to Georgetown
0.9 mi 390 ft/mi
IV(V+) Upstream from here (31.2 mi from take-out) 01. Loveland Ski Area to Silverplume
11.1 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
V 89 mi away 01. Missouri Creek TH to Dirt Road
7.7 mi 163 ft/mi
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Rigor Mortis is a whitewater put-in on Clear Creek in Jefferson County, Colorado, providing access to a significant stretch of river known for its gradient and current. Clear Creek is a large river system with a total length of nearly 94 miles and drops over 3,100 feet in elevation, creating dynamic whitewater conditions. The site sits at an elevation of approximately 5,700 feet and provides access to water with an average flow of 187.55 cubic feet per second and a steep average gradient of 34.1 feet per mile, making it suitable for paddlers experienced with faster moving water.

This put-in location on Clear Creek allows access to whitewater that features strong currents and continuous gradient typical of Colorado mountain streams. The river's average velocity of 2.56 feet per second combined with the significant slope indicates consistent moving water throughout the season. Paddlers using this access point should be prepared for whitewater conditions and should have experience reading moving water and making quick decisions on the river.