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. Sunset Rapid at 4100 cfs #paddling #riogrande #newmexicowhitewater #visittaos #santaferafting #raft #raftnewmexico #newwaverafting #adventure #getwet Posted by New Wave Rafting Co. on Monday, June 24, 2019 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. Souse Hole Rapid at 4,500 cfs The high water continues to rock our world. June 18, 2019.newwaverafting.com Posted by New Wave Rafting Co. on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 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…
So … You Want To Go Rafting! Posted On: February 5, 2020 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Rafting new mexico Good idea! There’s simply no better way to experience the outdoor majesty of northern New Mexico than a raft trip on the Rio Grande or Rio Chama with New Wave Rafting Co.But, first, let’s consider which raft trip will be the best one for you and your family. There are two kinds of raft trips available on our rivers: float trips and whitewater trips. Let’s look at float trips first. River trips are categorized on a 1-6 scale of difficulty, with float trips rated as Class 2. That means you will encounter minor whitewater (small waves), very little difficulty in navigating the river and only a very slight chance of falling out of the raft. So float trips are the best choice for families with little kids (ages 4-5), those who don’t swim, those who are anxious about being on the water, aged members of the family and people with disabilities. Class 3 is considered to be of intermediate difficulty – something anybody in reasonable physical condition can do. It will have waves that break into the boat, navigation challenges that require paddling effort and a chance that you might fall into the river. We take children 6 and up on Class 3. Our Class 3 stretch on the Rio Grande is known as the Racecourse (for raft/kayak races held there annually).Take a look at the video below. 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…
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.
The Box, June 8, 2019 Posted On: June 11, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Rio Grande, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Taos Box Taos Box, June 8, 2019. Jarod Bottinelli took this great video, on his June 4 trip. Thanks Jarod! Water level is up around 3800 cfs and rising, as summer temps begin to arrive (high of 84 degrees today). Based on the remaining snowpack, this and higher levels should persist well into July. The Box is the centerpiece of the wild Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. About the Taos Box Trip Meets At: Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center at 10:00 AM, and returns at approx. 4:00 PM (see map) 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). The Box season begins in April, with the highest flows usually occurring around early June. Minimum age is 12. The first rapid, Ski Jump rapid of the Taos Box. Check reviews on Yelp. What compares to a river? Hardly anything, and that’s why we raft. The rapids, the calm stretches, the wildlife, the riverside groves and flowers – it’s all there, waiting for you and your family.
Abiquiu News Features New Wave Rafting Posted On: June 3, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Abiquiu, El Vado Reservoir, Rio Chama Abiquiu News Features New Wave “Planning a Visit? The Rio Chama runs through Abiquiu. One of the best ways to experience this river or the Rio Grande is a rafting trip with New Wave Rafting. Currently they are running a special. If you book online, you’ll save 10%. The Rio Chama is the major tributary of the Rio Grande in New Mexico. It rises in the South San Juan Mountains of Colorado, just a few miles north of the border. It passes through the town of Chama and then … to the side of Heron Reservoir. Read More…
Taos Box, May 19, 2019 Posted On: May 22, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: New Mexico, New Wave Rafting Co, Rafting new mexico, Rio Grande new mexico, run-off, Taos, Taos Box Taos Box, May 19, 2019. The snowpack has INCREASED since the Box trip seen here. It is now at 278%!! Are you wanting some real white-knuckle boating? This is going to be the year for that. 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). The Box season begins in April, with the highest flows usually occurring around early June. Minimum age is 12. Take a closer look here. Why We Raft the Taos Box What compares to a river? Hardly anything, and that’s why we raft. The rapids, the calm stretches, the wildlife, the riverside groves and flowers – it’s all there, waiting for you and your family. Exposure to Nature Boosts Immune System “In a series of studies, scientists found that when people spend time in natural surroundings, forests, parks and other places with plenty of trees, they experience increased immune function. One reason for this is phytoncides, the airborne chemicals that plants emit to protect themselves from rotting and from insects, and which also seem to benefit humans. In Japan, for instance, people visit forests for a therapeutic practice which is called “Shinrin-yoku,” or “forest bathing.” A group of these “forest bathers” were divided in two and they were instructed to do the following: Group 1 was instructed to walk through a forest or wooded area for a few hours on day one . Group 2 was instructed to walk through a city area. On the second day the two groups switched places. Above all, the researches found that being among plants produced lower concentrations of cortisol (a stress hormone), lower pulse rate, and in addition lower blood pressure.”