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.

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

Trip Highlights

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

Trip Resources

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

Getting Here

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

Related Packages

1. Rappel into the Gauntlet

   On this full-day whitewater rafting adventure, we’ll get your adrenaline flowing beginning with a rappel into the Granite Gorge! You'll meet your raft for The Gauntlet as you head out for rafting the Pine Creek & The Numbers section.

2. The Lower Canyon Rafting + Via Ferrata

   This exciting full-day adventure experience combines rafting on the Lower Canyon portion of the Clear Creek with our thrilling Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata adventure. Get your heart rate up as you ascend the cliffside, and keep the adrenaline up with rafting on this section of class IV and V rapids.

3. Phoenix Full Day

   Experience Clear Creek's best whitewater on our Phoenix, full-day advanced trip, only 30 minutes from Denver. The nonstop action on this Clear Creek river rafting trip will provide an adrenaline-pumping experience for all thrill seekers.  

4. Browns Canyon Sizzler

   The full-day Browns Canyon Sizzler represents the ultimate Colorado rafting experience! This trip offers a full day of classic white water rafting through class III rapids on the Arkansas River, complete with a riverside fajitas lunch.  

5. The Lower Canyon on Clear Creek

   Adrenaline seekers will love the Lower Canyon portion of Clear Creek, with opportunities to raft class IV and V rapids. This is a unique opportunity to explore some of the best whitewater in the state within a short distance of Denver.

Not sure yet? Here are some other activities

1. The Numbers 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata

   This adventure will get your heart rate up and keep it up as you embark on our Numbers + Via Ferrata full-day excursion. This rafting and climbing experience will challenge all adrenaline seekers, as you tackle some of the most difficult whitewater in the country, as well as our heart-pounding Via Ferrata course.

2. Polaris RZR 2 Hour Rental+ Scenic Float Package

   Looking to kick up a little dirt and then wash it off? Experience the best of Colorado's outdoors on our full-day UTV Rental and Scenic Float adventure package!  

3. Mt. Princeton Waterfall Ride

   Ride along the scenic Browns Creek approximately 2 hours, taking in beautiful views of waterfalls along the way. The Arkansas Valley holds the most 14,000-foot peaks of anywhere in Colorado; this stunning scenery makes it one of the best places to experience a horseback ride.

4. Upper Colorado 4 Hour Fly Fishing

   Join AVA for a scenic fly-fishing excursion on the Upper Colorado River. Our 4- hour float trips are perfect for both novice and experienced anglers and present an opportunity to both fish and relax!

5. 24 Hours in Browns Canyon

   Experience Colorado's best overnight whitewater rafting. This trip provides a unique way to explore the most popular stretch of whitewater rafting in the country as you paddle and camp in the heart of Colorado's Rockies.

6. Browns Canyon Half Day + Zipline Package

   This multi-adventure package will keep you energized and smiling the entire day, as you fly through the trees on our Mountaintop Zipline course and then rush the rapids on our Brown's Canyon whitewater adventure.

7. Stand Up Paddleboard Half Day

   Try the newest, most fun activity on the river - Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)! On this half-day trip, you'll SUP 5 miles down the Colorado River. You'll stand up or kneel on a large, surfboard-shaped board and steer with a long paddle as you navigate down the river. Prepare yourself for falling into the water, as it's highly likely that you'll go for a swim!  

8. Colorado Via Ferrata – Granite

   Adventure awaits as you conquer the cliffside on this unique mountaintop climbing experience. Feel a rush of adrenaline as you traverse across and above the Arkansas River Valley, using iron rungs, bars, and other features to ascend. Your stomach will drop on our hanging bridge and freefall flight line!

9. Colorado Scenic Float-Half Day

   This wonderful Colorado River float trip is a gently flowing section that is inviting to all ages. You’ll encounter a few small rapids as the Colorado River winds through the Gore Range and Mountain Ranchland.

10. Rock Climb Half Day

    Take in the Rocky Mountain scenery while our guides cover the basics of belaying, rappelling, and setting anchors. Whether you’re looking to learn more about rock climbing or trying it for the first time this is a perfect trip for you!

11. Mountaintop Ziplining In Colorado – Half Day

    Fly between towering old-growth pine trees and cliffs on our Mountaintop Zipline, a unique Colorado experience fun for all ages. This course may be the most incredible way to see the Arkansas River valley as you experience Colorado from a unique vantage point.