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Colorado | Taylor Canyon / Gunnison County
Taylor RiverFive Mile Access to Almont
A guarded approximately 5-mile Class II Lower Taylor float from the named Five Mile boat launch to the named Almont takeout, paired with the direct USGS 09110000 Taylor River at Almont gauge.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A guarded Lower Taylor Class II float with direct 09110000 discharge, conservative 250 cfs minimum-only planning, named Five Mile and Almont access anchors, cold-water/wood/private-bank hazards, and a mandatory Almont exit.
Access map
Put-in
Five Mile Access boat launchNatural Atlas identifies Five Mile Access as a Taylor River boat launch in the Gunnison National Forest, and local guidance identifies it as the Class II boating start. Reconfirm current parking, launch condition, signage, and lawful access on site.
Take-out
Almont highway takeoutAmerican Whitewater identifies the Almont takeout record; local guidance places Almont Access below the Taylor/East River confluence. Treat it as the mandatory exit and do not continue onto the Gunnison without a separate plan.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Natural Atlas identifies Five Mile Access as a Taylor River boat launch in the Gunnison National Forest, and local guidance identifies it as the Class II boating start. Reconfirm current parking, launch condition, signage, and lawful access on site.
- American Whitewater identifies the Almont takeout record; local guidance places Almont Access below the Taylor/East River confluence. Treat it as the mandatory exit and do not continue onto the Gunnison without a separate plan.
- The gauge is on Taylor River at Almont, upstream of the East River confluence; use it as the direct Taylor-route gauge and account for the final confluence/takeout transition in planning.
- If either endpoint is closed, occupied, unsafe, unclear, or inconsistent with current access signs, the route is unavailable. Use a separately verified campground or lodging reservation.
Watch for
- USGS 09110000 below 250 cfs, rapidly changing, unavailable, or inconsistent with the physical river; 300–1500 cfs is a preferred planning reference, not a guarantee
- Class II current, wood/strainers, cold water, bridge and bend hazards, storms, and limited recovery
- private-bank boundaries, changing road/parking conditions, the Taylor/East River confluence, and failure to exit at Almont
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Taylor River at Almont, CO. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Taylor River at Almont, CO |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 250 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | RiverScout 09110000 planning band 300–1500 cfs, cross-checked against Lower Taylor Class II descriptions and 250 cfs local low-flow context |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named Lower Taylor corridorFive Mile Access to Almont; approximately 5 miles; primarily Class II
American Whitewater describes the lower Taylor from Five Mile to the highway takeout near Almont, while local guidance names Five Mile Access and Almont Access as boating points.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 09110000 Taylor River at Almont, CO
USGS identifies the station at Almont with continuous discharge and gage-height data. The station is on Taylor upstream of the East River confluence; use it for the Taylor route and inspect the final takeout transition in person.
- Endpoint accessFive Mile Access boat launch to American Whitewater Almont takeout
Natural Atlas provides the Five Mile boat-launch coordinate and American Whitewater provides the named Almont takeout record. Reconfirm current parking, landing, road, signage, and permission conditions before launching.
- Flow guidance250 cfs conservative minimum-only floor; 300–1500 cfs preferred planning band
RiverScout publishes a 09110000 planning band, while Lower Taylor sources describe Class II water and local guides describe low-flow context. This is mixed planning evidence, not a safety guarantee or high-water ceiling.
- Camping and access boundaryNearby developed campground/basecamp only; no on-route camping or private-bank extension
GMUG corridor restrictions prohibit dispersed camping in the Lower Taylor area. Use a separately verified developed campground or lawful lodging and obey current posted access boundaries.
- Duplicate separationDistinct Lower Taylor 09110000 corridor, separate from the published 09109000 Todd’s Slot feature and 09107000 upper Taylor route
This route begins at Five Mile and exits at Almont, outside the Todd’s Slot above/below access pair and the upper 748 Bridge-to-Pieplant reach.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- American Whitewater Taylor River Canyon reach
- Natural Atlas Five Mile Access boat launch
- American Whitewater Almont takeout
- USGS 09110000 monitoring location
- USGS 09110000 current conditions
- Taylor River boating and access guidance
- Taylor River flow planning context
- GMUG Taylor River camping order
- GMUG camping guidance
- Colorado boating and PFD guidance
- Wikimedia Commons Taylor River image
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Reports
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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Taylor River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Five Mile Access to Almont route on the Taylor River?
Paddle Today watches Taylor River at Almont, CO and uses 250 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does the Five Mile Access to Almont route on the Taylor River start and end?
This route starts at Five Mile Access boat launch and ends at Almont highway takeout, Approximately 5 river miles from Five Mile Access to Almont on the water.
Is the Five Mile Access to Almont route on the Taylor River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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