The Espolon River:
(Rafting,
Kayaking, Floating, Fly Fishing, Adventure Trails: trekking,
sea kayaking, mountain biking, hiking & horseback
riding)
From the Lake Espolon to the confluence
of the Futaleufu, this aquatic paradise is nothing short
of spectacular in beauty. It runs from the Lake Espolon
to the village of Futaleufu . From here the river continues
its journey until it enters the Futaleufu River two
miles downstream from town. In the summer this river
runs between 800 and 2000 cfs. Imagine water the color
and clarity of the ocean surrounding Tahiti . The Espolon
originates in the pristine mountain lake, Lago Espolon
and plunges through the awe-inspiring, un-runnable “Cascades
of Espolon”. At the base of the falls, the river transforms
into a tame Class 2 river for the next 5 miles heading
towards the Adventure Center with numerous deep clear
pools, white sand beaches and very manageable rapids.
This is an excellent river for first time rafters or
sit-on-top kayakers as well as for fly fishing. The
water is so transparent it feels as though you were
hovering over the river bottom on a magic carpet. A
trail from our lodge winds through the trees near the
river where you see the numerous swimming and fishing
pools teeming with brown and rainbow trout.
The Azul River
(Rafting,
Kayaking, Fly Fishing, Adventure Trail: trekking, mountain
biking, hiking & horseback riding)
This river joins the Rio Futaleufu,
22 kilometers downstream from town under the shadow
of the Tres Monjas peaks. The riverbanks are lush and
green with ferns, which contrast with the soft, white-sandy
beaches. This glacier-fed river can range between 600
to 2000 cfs, depending on rain and snowmelt in the mountains.
This is a great warm-up for the Class kayak and raft
3/4 trips. The Azul is one of the great alternate rivers
in Cjile when the Futaleufu is running too high. Technical
and defined, the Rio Azul takes its name from the aquamarine
water color.
The Chico River
(Kayaking,
Fly Fishing, Adventure Trails: trekking, mountain biking,
hiking & horseback riding.)
This tributary near the Argentina border
runs through a national reserve for the Huemul which
are small native deer. Mountain ike and horseback riding
trails take you through this remote valley along the
border. The small river enters the Futaleufu River near
the border with Argentina upstream from town. We have
walked sections of it and need to scout more before
we plan a first descent with correct water levels. This
is Class 3/4, with possibilities of unknown falls.
The Palena River
(Whitewater Kayaking, Sea
Kayaking)
About one hour from the village of
Futaleufu lies the Rio Palena. The Palena originates
in Argentina and cuts a clear path all the way across
Chile to the Southern Pacific Ocean . The entire river
is traversable by expert sea kayakers and it contains
mile after mile of class II/ III whitewater rapids.
Whitewater kayakers will primarily be interested in
the upper section which contains some significant class
III/III+ rapids. This is a river we frequently visit
with our class II/III trips and our kayak school students.
The Tigre River
(Whitewater Kayaking)
A tributary of the Rio Palena, the
Rio Tigre lies to south of the village of Palena . Like
the Palena, the Rio Tigre originates in Argentina with
headwaters in some high alpine lakes. The class III
section is about 10 kilometers long ending at the confluence
with the Rio Palena. The upper section of the Rio Tigre
is Class V where the river is known as the “Saltos de
Tigre”. This is a river we frequently visit with our
class II/III trips and our kayak school students.
The Michimahuida River
(Whitewater
Kayaking)
Off the side of Volcan Michimahuida
lies the class IV-V Michamahuida River . To kayak this
river flows must be just right as it drops steeply through
a narrow gorge. The river can be run in one day or over
a span of two days with a bivouac between. Above the
Class IV/V section is a class II/III section that is
suitable for beginner kayakers at most water levels.
Be sure to check out the Amarillo Hot Springs on your
way in or out of the Michimahuida Valley.