How River Levels Affect Your River Trip Posted On: June 8, 2022 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: family fun, Funyak, Racecourse rapids, Taos Box River levels of New Mexico’s Rio Grande are dynamic. Why Do Water Levels Fluctuate? The Rio Grande is one of the longest continuous rivers in the United States. Born in the deep snows of southern Colorado it provides water and recreation for Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The winter snow pack determines just how much water fills the river in the spring. Every year that amount is different. Other factors such as water rights for irrigation and municipal water affect that amount of flow. Late summer water level at Big Rocks Rapid. How Do Different River Levels Affect Your Trip? Rafting conditions depend on just how much water flows through the river canyon. Water levels tend to be higher throughout the spring and into the summer. Some years our monsoon season in July and August can also raise levels. For those seeking the highest adventure level, the early season May and June can provide the thrills and chills and the best whitewater excitement. Further into the summer the river becomes lower and produces the best whitewater fun for families and kids. Summer fun includes piloting your own inflatable kayak or funyak through the scenic parts of the canyon. The Racecourse, so named for the annual Mother’s Day race event, becomes technically challenging through medium size rapids. Here your guide will pilot you through Albert’s Falls, Herringbone, The Narrows, Big Rocks, and Souse Hole! Early spring high water of the Taos Box. SEE YOU ON THE RIO! (images courtesy of BrittRunyonImages)
The Taos Box is Up & Running! Posted On: May 20, 2021 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Rio Grande, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Taos Box Yes! The Rio Grande is UP! With the river level up we’re excited to offer the Taos Box. This full-day Class 4/5 adventure travels 16 miles through a 800′ deep remote wilderness gorge, encountering demanding rapids guaranteed to get you wet. This trip is NOT for the timid. Participants must be mentally and physically prepared to paddle in earnest and assist in their own rescue, if necessary. Wet suits and/or rain gear are provided. The trip begins with moderate whitewater and some placid sections, and climaxes with four miles of solid whitewater, called the Rio Bravo section. Also, the Rio Grande Gorge High Bridge crosses overhead at a point four miles into the trip. The Taos Box is a wilderness paradise with an intact ecosystem, and the pride of northern New Mexico. Read More…
Whitewater! Posted On: March 4, 2020 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Racecourse rio grande, Taos Box Whitewater of the Rio Grande Whitewater! Over the years, we’ve been having a riotous time on the Rio Grande. Here is Sunset Rapid, on the Taos Box. Videos by guide extraordinaire Britt Runyon. More videos can be found on our YouTube site. Sunset Rapid, also known as Taos Junction Rapid, is a serious class IV at high water. It has a vertical drop of 8 feet with a large hole (hydraulic) river left at the bottom. The rafting crew in the video below catch only a small piece of the hydraulic which is the best scenario. https://www.facebook.com/NewWaveRafting/videos/373437126641118/ And here is Souse Hole, on the Racecourse, which can be bigger than anything on the Box at high water in early Spring. Now this rapid is usually a class III but at highwater becomes a serious class IV. It’s the last Rapid on the Racecourse section. The narrowness of the river channel here is due to the wetland on the right. This causes the land and boulders to creep downward into the existing rapid. http://www.facebook.com/NewWaveRafting/videos/349290125783517/ This is rafting as good as it gets! We are one of the few original companies permitted to provide river trips on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama of northern New Mexico. Book online here and use the Discount Code “Online Special” for immediate savings! See You On The Rio!
How Deep is the Water? Posted On: February 19, 2020 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Racecourse, Rafting new mexico, Taos Box How Deep is the Water? More often than you might imagine, prospective rafting customers ask me: “How deep is the water?”. Many people suppose that water depth is the only measure by which to assess the risk of drowning. “Is it over my head?”, is the implicit question. Of course, you can drown in shallow water, if you are unlucky enough. But most people know that, besides containing water, rivers are not like lakes. And lakes and oceans are where most people drown. They are either not wearing a floatation vest (PFD), do not know how to swim or both. Read More…
Low Water Taos Box Descent – Day 2 Posted On: December 1, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Nature, River trips Tagged In: river otter, Taos Box Even with low water, October can be the right time to be in the Taos Box. A low water run in the Taos Box after all the rafters have moved on turned out to be well worth the effort. The wildlife short list would include Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, Osprey, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Red-tailed Hawks and of course the Otters. Throwing mostly spinners, the best Brown Trout fishing was after Manby Hot Springs (day 1) all the way to Screaming Right Rapid (day 2). At 330 cfs (cubic feet/second) we got an excellent view of the boulders that create the waves, holes and hydraulics of all the rapids. If you missed “Day 1” here’s the link. We had a great encounter with a family of 5 River Otters in the afternoon. Ahh, a hot coffee, hot fire morning. Yes, there was ice in our drinking water but the Jet Boil soon had hot java in the cup. This sandy beach was just big enough for the three of us. There were not many such spots once we were in the Playground section. Read More…
October Taos Box Descent – Day 1 Posted On: November 10, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Taos Box October in New Mexico is a glorious time of year to be in the high desert with cooler temps, autumn leaves, excellent fishing, wildlife viewing and fewer visitors. The plan for a 2 day rafting descent down the Taos Box section, class 4, of the Rio Grande, just west of Taos, was hatched by one of our guides ,Todd. With the Taos Junction Gauge reading 330 cubic feet/second we knew it would a “bony” run with at least one lining of the raft. At the put-in for the Taos Box section on the Rio Grande. (From left to right) Todd, part time guide for New Wave and the person responsible for hatching this idea. Joel, river guide for us in the 1990’s and Britt, New Wave’s Operations Manager and Official Photographer. As you see in the image, dressing warm is necessary when rafting in October. It’s a easy float to the first rapid, Ski Jump, with just a few tight moves between low water exposed boulders. Here we had lunch and Todd fished from the island just above the rapid. And so it began. Read More…
Final Taos Box of 2019 Posted On: October 27, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Rio Grande, Taos Box The final run down the Taos Box of 2019 was an adventure for all! The final Taos Box run is always a sad moment, when we complete our rafting season but now we look forward to what winter will bring in the form of snow. The gauge was reading 645 cfs on the 31st of August which is a rare occurrence, historically speaking it is usually half that number. Ski Jump Rapid will always get you wet! Floating under the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is always a sight to behold. Does it look higher from the raft on the river or while standing on the bridge looking at the river below? Read More…
“Adventure of a Lifetime” August 31, 2019 Posted On: September 15, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Testimonials Tagged In: rafting, Taos Box Adventure, August 31, 2019 “New Wave Rafting Co. Thank you- It certainly was an adventure of a lifetime! Neil was a terrific river guide. He related so well to my daughter, her sister, their cousin, and myself. Looking at the pictures, there is not a one in which they’re not smiling with the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen on their faces. Neil was able to get their attention and elicit their very best efforts when necessary, and kept them engaged throughout. I also appreciated how all the guides worked together to rescue my son, his girlfriend, and his cousins. They all said they very much enjoyed the rafting- the cousins up till they fell out of the boat and saw their lives flash before their eyes; it might be a while till they try it again, but I bet they will (maybe after some more swimming lessons). Thank you so much for sharing the last run of the season with us! See you next season!” Marta At the end of the day and back at their cars which were left in the secure parking at the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center. For your “adventure of a lifetime” visit our website here. Check out our YouTube Channel for some fun videos.
Testimonial – Britt Runyon Posted On: July 23, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: Testimonials Tagged In: Britt Runyon, Taos Box Testimonial “Thanks so much! We had such a great time! You are a wonderful guide, made our experience so fun….great memories. One of our family favorites! Wishing you the best! Holly Brousseau” A testimonial is the best way to share your adventure. Britt is the Operations Manager of New Wave. He has been with us since 1984. As of now, he has done over 40 trips in the Taos Box this summer. There is no other place he would rather be than rafting the Taos Box with new found friends. This full-day river trip traverses 16 miles of wilderness gorge, encountering demanding rapids guaranteed to get you wet. This is our most exciting whitewater river trip and is NOT for the timid. Participants must be mentally and physically prepared to paddle in earnest and assist in their own rescue in the event of a “swim” or flip (Class 4/Difficult, Class 5/Very Difficult, in high water). In addition to complementary shuttle and all rafting related safety gear, wetsuits and wetsuit booties are provided in cool weather. The Box season begins in April, with the highest flows usually occurring around early June. Minimum age is 12. Booking online saves you 10% with our “Online Special”. One way to share your testimonial is on our Trip Advisor page.
Sunset Rapid of the Taos Box Posted On: June 29, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Britt Runyon, Taos Box Sunset Rapid Wow. That is one big wave! It can knock you right into the lap of the person behind you, as is seen in the video below. Sunset is the last rapid of the trip, just a quarter of a mile upstream of Taos Junction Bridge and the take-out. Also known as Taos Junction Rapid, at high water is a definite Class IV with a eight foot drop and a huge hole river left at the bottom of the rapid. What a way to end the trip. Video by guide extraordinaire Britt Runyon. This an image taken from the right shore by Southern Exposure. The moment the raft team drop into the hole. About the Taos Junction Bridge 20 miles to the west of the bridge and up on the mesa was the Taos Junction Railroad Station for the Denver & Rio Grande (Chili Line). The Taos Junction bridge was the principal route across the river before the completion of the Gorge Bridge in 1965. There is still evidence of the settlement around the area of the takeout today. Paul W Bauer writes in his book “The Rio Grande”, “In the 1890’s, Long John Dunn purchased the original wooden bridge, which was destroyed by the 1921 floodwaters that exceeded 14,000 cfs.” New Wave Rafting, Embudo, NM Read the latest trip reviews on Trip Advisor.