The Gauntlet – Pine Creek & Numbers
Experience the wildest rafting offered on the Arkansas River in Colorado. On this rafting adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to navigate the Pine Creek and Numbers sections of this iconic river, rushing through class III-V rapids under towering peaks and through Colorado’s most natural areas.
The Highlights Of Your Trip
Blast into this white water rafting full-day adventure that will get your heart racing as you navigate 11 miles through the Pine Creek and Numbers sections of the Arkansas River. This trip maximizes convenience and adrenaline, as it lasts between 4 and 5 hours and begins just 1 mile from our outpost.
Minimum age: 15
Book this trip
How much
Pricing
From $209
Ages 15+
What's included
Activities
- Rafting
Trip Length
Duration
4-5 hours, Includes lunch
How Hard
Difficulty
Who can go
Minimum Age
15 years old & Up
What AVA’s The Gauntlet RAFTING looks like
Trip Highlights
A. 2026 Expectations
The Arkansas River is officially flowing for the 2026 season, and Browns Canyon is shaping up for a fun year on the water. With this year’s Colorado snowpack, flows are coming in at more manageable and technical levels compared to some recent high-water seasons, making it an awesome time for families, first-timers, and experienced paddlers alike. Trips on other sections of the Arkansas are also available to book, and our team will keep you updated on current river conditions and any trip options as your adventure gets closer.
B. What to Expect
- 4-5 hour rafting trip on the steepest section of the Arkansas River (Pine Creek and Numbers)
- Navigate 11 miles through class III through V rapids
- Colorado’s best mountain scenery, including the surrounding Arkansas River Valley and the distant Collegiate Peaks Mountain Range
- Riverside lunch
- Highly-trained raft guides
C. Trip Itinerary
- Meet your guide and gear up at our Buena Vista outpost
- Shuttle to our trip’s put-in location
- Listen as your guide runs through paddling technique
- Blast down the steepest and most continuous whitewater on the Arkansas River
- Hit the water for even more excitement in the afternoon
- Shuttle back to our outpost
- Enjoy a delicious lunch and refuel
- Review photos from your trip
D. Who will love this trip?
- Adventure seekers looking for a high-adrenaline rafting trip (beginners may also enjoy this experience but must be physically fit enough for a full day of advanced whitewater)
- Groups looking to spend time in one of Colorado’s most wild and pristine places
- Families with kids at least 15 years old
What to expect
On Your Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Excitement at Every Turn
From our Buena Vista outpost, the Gauntlet Express will take you on a thrilling ride down the steepest and most continuous whitewater on the Arkansas River. This rafting experience will get your heart up from the start and keep the adrenaline flowing over 11 miles of excitement. The Gauntlet is an exciting and intense adventure, and our highly experienced guides will ensure safety is top priority. You’ll experience steep drops and technical sections, as you paddle through a mixture of class III through V rapids. Be sure to hold on tight through Pine Creek – the steepest and fastest section on the Arkansas River!
Stunning Scenery
As you paddle, you’ll be thrown into the midst of the beautiful scenery of the Arkansas River, including the stunning river valley. Be sure to pick your eyes up from some of Colorado’s bluest water to admire the vibrant greenery on its banks and the Collegiate Peaks Mountain Range in the distance. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including bighorn sheep and bald eagles
Included Gear & Packing List
All of your gear will be provided for your rafting excursion. This includes:
- PFD
- Wetsuit
- Splash jacket
WHAT TO BRING
- Shoes that will stay securely on your feet… no flip flops or crocs!
- Fleece and/or quick dry clothing
- Waterproof sunscreen & sunglasses
- Cash to tip your raft guide
Continue the Adventure
Immerse yourself in the vibrant mountain atmosphere of Buena Vista, the perfect backdrop for extending your adventures or indulging in a weekend getaway.
- Book one of our cabins or campsites, ensuring that your adventure is paired with comfortable accommodations.
- Discover even more outdoor pursuits, including hiking, biking, fly-fishing, and horseback riding, all within reach of Buena Vista’s stunning natural surroundings.
- Savor the flavors of Buena Vista’s diverse culinary scene. With a plethora of restaurants and breweries, there is something to satisfy everyone.
- Rejuvenate at Cottonwood Hot Springs or Mount Princeton Hot Springs, and unwind amidst breathtaking mountain vistas.
Trip Location
Buena Vista South Main
924 South Main Street
Buena Vista, CO 81211
924 South Main Street, Buena Vista, CO 81211 is our rafting address. If you’re visiting for ziplining or via ferrata, make sure to use our 40579 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211 address.
Experience whitewater rafting in Buena Vista from AVA’s South Main outpost, located just steps from the Arkansas River in the heart of downtown Buena Vista. With easy access to Browns Canyon and family-friendly river float trips and family-friendly float trips, this location puts you close to some of Colorado’s best rafting adventures while surrounded by the energy of South Main, the Surf Hotel, Eddyline Brewery, and the Buena Vista Whitewater Park. Whether you are looking for exciting rapids or a scenic day on the river, AVA’s Buena Vista rafting trips deliver the perfect Colorado adventure.
From our Buena Vista outpost, experience some of Colorado’s best outdoor adventures with whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, ziplining, Via Ferrata, rock climbing, horseback riding, and more. Located in the heart of South Main near the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, our outpost is the perfect starting point for a full day in the mountains. Looking to maximize your adventure? Our multi-adventure packages let you combine multiple activities into one unforgettable Colorado experience filled with scenic views, exciting action, and time on the river.
AVA’s Buena Vista Gold Coast Outpost is located just over an hour from Summit County and under two and a half hours from Denver, Colorado.
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