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CLASS I – VERY EASY
Moving water; passages are clear of any major obstacles. These sections of river are relaxing and provide a nice rest between rapids to enjoy scenery.

CLASS II – EASY
Waves are larger and rapids require some maneuvering, however passages remain clear. Fun for the whole family.

CLASS III – MODERATE
(Intermediate) Rapids are longer, and markedly more powerful. Paddlers are required to maneuver through forceful and irregular currents, rocks and holes in the channel. Exciting and fun- note minimum age requirements.

CLASS IV – INTERMEDIATE
(Difficult) Very long rapids; dangerous rocks and powerful waves, currents and eddies require precise and powerful maneuvering. Thrillseekers.

CLASS V – DIFFICULT
(Very Difficult) Violent and long rapids follow each other with little interruption; a severely obstructed riverbed with big drops; steep gradient and a powerful current. Experienced Thrillseekers.

EME always provides top-quality river gear, including a personal flotation device (lifejacket), wetsuit, neoprene river shoes, splash jackets, and a helmet (when necessary).

• If you’re the cold-blooded type, bring an extra fleece/wool layer (NO COTTON) to wear on the river under your splash jacket.
• Show up in dry, comfortable clothes with your bathing suit underneath.
• Other recommended items: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses (with strap), water bottle, waterproof camera, towel and a SMILE!
• We provide water, Izze soda, Aspen Brewing Beer and a fresh snack after the trip. We’re happy to serve lunch on half-day trips – please call to special request a picnic!

EME always provides top-quality gear.

Wade Trips:

• Dull colored, quick-dry shirt with long sleeves for sun protection
• Socks are required, wool socks are recommended
• Quick-dry pants & water shoes are recommended, but depending on the season and the weather we will provide waders and boots
• Sunscreen
• Hat & polarized sunglasses
• Rain jacket recommended

Float trips:

• Dull colored, quick-dry shirt with long sleeves for sun protection
• Quick-dry pants & water shoes are recommended
• Sunscreen
• Hat & polarized sunglasses
• Rain jacket recommended

Although we don’t provide lockers, we have multiple pick-up locations on our way to the river. We recommend bringing a backpack or bag to leave your keys, phones and anything else you don’t want to take on the river. 

You can treat your shuttle vehicle like your locker room while on the trip. Shuttle vehicles will be secure and occupied while you’re on the river.

If you’re meeting us at our Outpost, please leave anything you won’t need locked in your vehicle. 

There are no designated changing rooms, however there are porta-potties at some of the river access points. We recommend wearing your bathing suit under your clothes so you can slide your wetsuits on when you get to the river.

You can use the shuttle vehicle as a changing room while on the trip.

We recommend bringing your own towel so you can dry off after your trip. No need to bring it on the river. It’ll just get wet.

We don’t recommend it. Anything that you do not want to potentially lose to the river should stay in the shuttle vehicle, your car, or in your hotel. 

As much as we would love to play with your pup, dogs are not the best boat mates. 

Here are a few doggy day-cares in the area:

Aspen Animal Shelter: dogsaspen.com

A Mom’s Day Off: amomsdayoff.com

Yes and No.

Yes, you will be shuttled back to the place where we picked you up at the end of the trip.

No, the river does not go in a circle; It will end up in the Pacific Ocean… or evaporate before it gets there.

Our trips depart rain or shine! Rafting is one of the best activities because it doesn’t require blue skies. We have wetsuits and splash tops to keep you comfortable on the river. 

The Upper Fork and Lower Fork  are great options for non-swimmers. The high adventure sections REQUIRE that you are a strong swimmer.

The Upper Fork at high water levels require that you know how to swim and if you’re doing Inflatable Kayaks. 

Although the wilderness surrounding Aspen and Carbondale is filled with elk, that’s not the reason we chose to name our company Elk Mountain Expeditions. The peaks to the South and West of the Roaring Fork Valley, which are not always visible from the valley floor, make up the Elk Mountain Range. These peaks, and the snow they collect during the winter months, comprise a large portion of the Roaring Fork Watershed and are the reason we have water in the Roaring Fork and Crystal Rivers throughout most of the summer. Not only do the Elk Mountains help our local rafting rivers, but they also contribute over 200 billion gallons of water to the Colorado River each year. It’s no surprise that this breathtaking family of mountains contains 6 of Colorado’s 53 14,000-foot peaks and boasts some of the most picturesque vistas in the state of Colorado.