See all 3 routes on Taylor River
Colorado | Taylor Canyon / Gunnison County
Taylor RiverAbove Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot
A guarded approximately 0.54-mile Class IV Taylor River Canyon feature from the documented access above Todd’s Slot to the documented access below it, paired directly with USGS 09109000 below Taylor Park Reservoir.
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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
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A guarded technical Todd’s Slot feature with direct 09109000 discharge, conservative 200 cfs minimum-only planning, named above/below access records, Class IV/wood/private-bank hazards, and a mandatory exit below the feature.
Access map
Put-in
Put-in above Todd’s SlotAmerican Whitewater provides named access records and exact coordinates for the access above and below Todd’s Slot. Treat them as planning anchors and verify current parking, signage, road condition, landing, and access permission on site.
Take-out
Take-out below Todd’s SlotThe below-Todd’s-Slot access is mandatory. Do not extend downstream through the South Bank, Harmels, or lower private-property corridor from this route; the broader source description identifies private banks and manmade obstacles beyond the bounded endpoint.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- American Whitewater provides named access records and exact coordinates for the access above and below Todd’s Slot. Treat them as planning anchors and verify current parking, signage, road condition, landing, and access permission on site.
- The below-Todd’s-Slot access is mandatory. Do not extend downstream through the South Bank, Harmels, or lower private-property corridor from this route; the broader source description identifies private banks and manmade obstacles beyond the bounded endpoint.
- The route is remote and road conditions can change seasonally. If either endpoint is closed, occupied, unsafe, or unclear, the route is unavailable.
- Use a separately verified campground or lodging reservation. This route does not authorize riverside or private-bank camping.
Watch for
- USGS 09109000 below 200 cfs, rapidly changing, unavailable, or inconsistent with the actual river; 250 cfs is a preferred planning reference, not a guarantee
- Todd’s Slot, Class IV moves, wood/strainers, cold water, limited recovery, and changing dam-release conditions
- private-bank boundaries, cables/low obstacles downstream of the takeout, road closures, and failure to exit below Todd’s Slot
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
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 below Taylor Park Reservoir, 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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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Sources
Data and sources
Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.
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 Taylor River Canyon corridorAbove Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot; approximately 0.54 miles within the broader Class II–IV Taylor River Canyon reach
American Whitewater names the Taylor River Canyon, identifies the above/below Todd’s Slot access points, and describes the Class II–IV river character.
- Direct live gauge and flow gateUSGS 09109000; 200 cfs conservative minimum-only planning floor and 250 cfs preferred reference
USGS provides direct discharge telemetry below Taylor Park Reservoir. American Whitewater trip reports document runs around 200 cfs and a local report describes 250 cfs as a very nice day; no high-water ceiling is inferred.
- Endpoint accessAmerican Whitewater access above Todd’s Slot to access below Todd’s Slot
The American Whitewater access records provide exact endpoint coordinates and named locations. Reconfirm current parking, landing, road, signage, and permission conditions before launching.
- Safety boundaryTodd’s Slot Class IV hazards; mandatory exit below the feature; no downstream private-property extension
American Whitewater and current reports identify Todd’s Slot, wood, cold water, private banks, and downstream obstacles. This route intentionally exits below the feature.
- Camping and logisticsNearby developed campground/basecamp only; no on-route camping
Use a separately verified Forest Service campground or lawful lodging and follow current corridor restrictions; no riverside, bridge, or private-bank camping is included.
- Duplicate separationDistinct downstream Taylor Canyon 09109000 feature, separate from the upper Taylor Park 09107000 CR 748-to-Pieplant route
This bounded Todd’s Slot feature uses the below-reservoir gauge and a different access pair; it stops before the lower Taylor private-property and Almont corridor.
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
- American Whitewater access above Todd’s Slot
- American Whitewater access below Todd’s Slot
- USGS 09109000 monitoring location
- USGS 09109000 current conditions
- Taylor River flow and access guide
- GMUG Taylor River camping order
- GMUG camping guidance
- Colorado boating and PFD guidance
- Wikimedia Commons Taylor River image
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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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 Above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot route on the Taylor River?
This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.
Where does the Above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot route on the Taylor River start and end?
This route starts at Put-in above Todd’s Slot and ends at Take-out below Todd’s Slot, Approximately 0.54 river miles from above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot on the water.
Is the Above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot route on the Taylor River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.
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