During rafting seasons with lower water flows, river outfitters tend to get a lot of questions about boating on low water. Many folks are under the assumption that rafting isn’t as fun when the water drops, or even possible at all! We’re here to tell you that not only is it possible to raft the Rio Grande during its minimal water levels, it’s a blast!

WARM WATER!

-The water is so much warmer when it’s lower and moving slower. Higher cf/s (cubic feet per second) means that the water has only recently melted off the mountains, where it started as snow! Much of the water in the Rio Grande at lower levels comes from tributaries, monsoon run-off, and underground springs due to the geothermal activity in the Taos Plateau. There’s many fantastic swimming spots throughout the Orilla Verde and Racecourse sections of the Lower Rio Grande Gorge, and our guides know them all!

INTERESTING GEOLOGY

-The rocks in the river are more exposed in lower water, showing off the beautiful erosion and “fluting” caused by the hundreds, thousands, or millions of years of moving water that the basalt, schist and quartzite have been subjected to in the Rio Grande. Volcanic basalt turns black and smooth to the touch after years of exposure and submersion, being slowly filed away into delicate ripples and shapes. The softer, silvery schist is worn down by the current, causing the garnets and staurolite formations contained within it to surface. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock with beautiful pink or reddish colors, caused by iron oxide trapped inside when it was forming millions of years ago. It’s a wonderful opportunity to check out some of the river’s astounding geology, right from the raft!

TECHNICAL WHITEWATER

-The rapids on the Racecourse don’t change classification due to lower water levels! They hold a solid class II/III all the way down to minimum-level flows. The minimum age for this section of river at low and moderate water levels is 5 years old, so it’s a very family-friendly trip that still provides tons of fun for whitewater seekers. The navigation of the rapids becomes more technical, providing a fun and engaging paddle experience for guests.

KAYAKS!

–Inflatable kayaks are a blast! At lower water, they are the perfect vessel for whitewater enthusiasts and novices alike. Also referred to as “duckies” or “IKs,” they are a great way to get up close and personal with the river. Our experienced guides give the best tips, tricks, and pointers on-river, and educate our guests about river-reading skills throughout their trip. Inflatable kayaks are available to both single and tandem riders, and guests can request IKs for half-day, full-day, and even multi-day river excursions.

SURF’S UP

Surfing on the river is a great way to get a second look at a rapid, and get some extra splashes in! Whether in a raft or inflatable kayak, it’s a lot of fun to turn around and head back into the rapid or feature and play a bit in the waves. Surfing is an excellent way to add to a special memory to an already unforgettable river experience!

Our popular rock climbing and rappelling adventure is back! Spend 3-4 hours exploring Dead Cholla Wall, an established climbing wall with over two-dozen climbing routes located just below the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge, and overlooking the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande. No matter what your age, ability, or fitness level, your guide can plan the perfect climbing route for you. Our professional, knowledgeable guides will provide all of the safety equipment you need, and top-notch instruction to find the perfect balance between challenge and fun, tailored to you. After a comprehensive orientation at the climbing site, your guide will get you started on your first route; and through professional instruction, help you establish and achieve your climbing and rappelling goals. Our guides are at the top of their game, and have introduced rock climbing in New Mexico to countless outdoor enthusiasts. We offer this trip in the mornings, meeting at 8 am at our headquarters located along the Rio Grande. Your guide will pack a snack to keep your belly from distracting you while you experience the high-desert beauty of the Rio Grande Gorge, so you can concentrate on making memories and finding your inner rock-climber!

If you’d like to make your experience last all day, you can combine your climbing excursion with one of our awesome half-day rafting trips down the Rio Grande! We offer two different half-day trips that pair perfectly with climbing, and help you beat the heat after you’ve worked your muscles on the climbing wall. Both the scenic Orilla Verde Float section and the exhilarating Racecourse Class II-III rapid section are available to combine with our climbing trip, and our widely popular fajita lunch is served riverside on our full-day adventures. Our helpful reservationists are standing by to take your call and help you book your dream trip! If you decide to book online through our award-winning website, you can add the climbing trip to your half-day rafting adventure.

New Mexico is a world-renowned destination for appreciating the arts, visiting cultural heritage sites and admiring the beauty of the high desert. This summer was the summer to discover that there is also a multitude of outdoor fun, interesting, and educational activities for families to enjoy in the Santa Fe, Taos, and Abiquiu areas. It’s amazing what you can find in your own state when you take the time to explore.

With that in mind here are a few recommendations to play tourist and explore what Northern New Mexico has to offer for locals and visitors alike.

The Nature Conservancy‘s Santa Fe Canyon Preserve and the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary is an easily accessible and scenic sanctuary for plants, animals and visitors that is worth visiting in all seasons. This 135-acre property at the top of Upper Canyon Road in Santa Fe is used as an educational, cultural and historical center. There are over 200 bird species that populate designated sites throughout the property. Visit the native plant and pollinator gardens where you can view native bee houses, or find your way to the wetland area home to an active beaver colony. The site is also a great place for a hike. You can easily access Santa Fe’s extensive Dale Ball Trail system from the center.

Head north from Santa Fe to the Taos area and you travel along the mighty Rio Grande River. Within the Rio Grande del Norte Monument and Taos Gorge not only will you find incredible views, but also abundant wildlife, and white water rafting. To experience the very best view of this majestic landscape and array of wildlife make it an adventure for your family and go rafting. New Mexico River Adventures is New Mexico’s top rated rafting outfitter and the headquarters is conveniently located between Santa Fe and Taos. With competitive rates, a retail shop that stocks all the little things you may have missed, like sun screen, and safety as a top priority, white water rafting is appropriate for all skill levels and fun for the whole family.

Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM is an education and retreat center surrounded by colorful and magnificent cliffs. Of the many offerings that the center has, the horseback trail rides through acres of artist landscape will create treasured memories for families.

These are just a few of the interesting, educational, and fun activities for families to enjoy in Northern New Mexico. So get out there and start exploring your own backyard.

The Fall in Northern New Mexico has been long and beautiful and the anticipation for snow and winter had been growing throughout the community.  With our most recent storm and temperatures falling to well below freezing most days, the wait is over.  Welcome to winter!  This is the time of year that brings much excitement to our communities as everyone is tuning their skis and getting ready for yet another  ski season at the many amazing resorts throughout Northern New Mexico.  Here at NMRA, we have many to chose from.  With some of our staff spread out between Sipapu, Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire, Red River and Ski Santa Fe.  All perfect destinations for the greatest of powder hounds.

Look forward to seeing you all out there on the slopes, soaking up all of the great snow that we plan on recycling throughout the summer, whitewater rafting  on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama!

If you love food, wine and wilderness, there are few trips available in the country that compare to this amazing adventure.  This trip combines them all with a level of comfort above and beyond the normal multi-day river trip.  You’ll be amazed at the gear we bring along on this adventure to transform each night’s camp into a dining room reserved for the finest of restaurants.  Not to mention the food and wine that fills the table each night.  Our good friends Chef Rocky Durham and Vivac Winery combine efforts to provide four amazing courses for each night’s dining experience.

Sit back and relive the days adventure while learning about the wine making process and the subtle notes each wine will leave on your palate while perfectly paired with Chef Rocky’s amazing creations.  The wines at Vivac are widely acclaimed as the best in New Mexico and in the west with a bold approach to some of your favorite varietals as well as some new selections you may be introduced to for the first time.  Chef Rocky Durham is certainly one of the largest names in a rock star community of chefs that comprise of multiple James Beard award winners and nationally known innovators which help to make Santa Fe, NM one of the world’s premier culinary destinations.  His focus is on seasonal, fresh ingredients that stand out and do the talking.  All of his courses are inspired by plants and animals that you will likely see on your journey through the Rio Chama Canyon.  Don’t be surprised if you see him and the Guides hunting for the perfect piece of driftwood on which your first course will be served.  Don’t be nervous though, we bring along all the china and fine wine glasses as well for this incredibly unique and amazing melting pot of fine food, wine and wilderness.  We have just announced 2018 dates for the Gourmet Wine Pairing Trip which will be July 20-22.  Don’t wait until the last minute to reserve your space at the table for a one of a kind adventure that will leave you with great memories of beautiful New Mexico for years to come.  Please fell free to reserve online or give one of our helpful reservation staff a call with any questions at all.

It’s that time of year when we offer the biggest discounts on our whitewater rafting trips.  Our Holiday Special happening starts on Wednesday, Nov. 25th and runs until the New Year.  This is a great opportunity to reserve your 2018 river trip on the Racecourse Half Day, Rio Grande Gorge Full Day or the Taos Box Full Day for a whopping 20% discount off of our 2017 rates.  If you know when you’d like to go, just go online and enter the promo code 2018Gift and get your discount at checkout.  You won’t see a deal like this all year so please don’t hesitate.

Also, don’t forget about that special gift or Stocking Stuffer in the form of a Gift Certificate.  Its a great last minute idea for someone in your life that loves Adventure as much as you.  Gift Certificates can be purchased in dollar form or for a specific trip.  Don’t worry about waiting until the last minute.  Our gift Cards will be sent to you by e-mail immediately after making your purchase.  Just print out the Gift Card and slip it into your loved ones stocking or send it directly to them by e-mail.  Either way its sure to be a very special present with memories for years to come.   Don’t forget to add the photo package on to your purchase.

Of course, we are open year around to help with any questions about your New Mexico getaway.  Please feel free to call anytime with questions about any of our amazing trips.  Also, look for our specialty trip dates and announcements throughout the Winter and Spring.  Happy Holidays to all of our amazing guests, family and friends form the entire NMRA family!

The Rio Grande in the United States, also known as the Río Bravo, travels 1,885 miles (3,034 km), and the fourth longest river system in the United States.  The Rio Grande rises in high mountains and flows for much of its length at high elevation. In New Mexico, the river flows through the Rio Grande Rift from one sediment-filled basin to another, cutting canyons between the basins and supporting a fragile Bosque ecosystem in its floodplain. But before that runoff settles down to a placid river, it rumbles through far northern New Mexico.

The Rio Grande flows out of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains in Colorado from its headwaters in the San Juan Mountains, and journeys through New Mexico, Texas and Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico. It passes through 800-foot chasms of the Rio Grande Gorge, a wild and remote area of northern New Mexico. In 1968, the Rio Grande and Red River were among the first eight rivers Congress designated into the National Wild and Scenic River System to protect outstanding resources values. Whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande is the most fun and important outdoor activity to be enjoyed in Northern New Mexico during the spring and summer months.  There are few other rivers that have the historical importance as the Rio Grande and also contain incredible whitewater that can be accessed in a single day.  From the Colorado border down through the Remote Razorblades section, the iconic Taos Box canyon and finishing through the latter part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and finally the famous rapids of the Racecourse.  There are new sections of this incredible river system to enjoy year after year for our millions of visitors.  From family floats to world class whitewater, the Rio Grande continues to deliver incredible outdoor adventures for those seeking Taos Whitewater Rafting.

Unfortunately, the whitewater rafting on Rio Grande continues to be negatively targeted in the news, both local and national, as we have seen lower water seasons due to below average snowpacks and unscheduled and under regulated irrigation draws from our neighbors to the north.  It seems that these days, the only news worth reporting is bad news.  What most people don’t hear is that, unlike almost every other whitewater destination in the West, the Rio Grande has runnable flows year around.  And even though we have seen some lower flows recently, we always have a great section of whitewater to enjoy for all of our visitors, regardless of the water conditions.  Whether it be in rafts, Stand Up Paddleboards or Kayaks, the Rio Grande offers multiple sections of river to enjoy throughout the spring, summer and fall when our weather is absolutely gorgeous. Just contact a professional about which section of the Rio Grande might be best for you and your group or family and get out there and enjoy one or multiple days on this incredibly beautiful and challenging river!

JM: Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Jake Walker, NMRA’s head boatman and SUP Extaordinaire. Jake, what was it that brought you into rafting?

JW: Well, I guess it was always just meant to be… I’ve always been on the water. I took two weeks, and went up to Arizona with a buddy. We stayed at a rafting company out there, and all of a sudden, I was getting paychecks! It started as a visit, and turned into a job. I didn’t want to make rafting a job, or make anything on the river a job, because I didn’t want to take the fun out of it. But, it’s still fun, 25 years later.

JM: That was my next question. Is that how long you’ve been guiding? 25 years?

JW: Yeah… since ’92, however long it’s been since then!

JM: Tell me, what’s the best part about being a guide?

JW: The best part about being a guide is the freedom. To pull up [stakes], and go to the next place, no questions asked- without it being weird like it would be for other people. Also, the interaction with the people, with the guests.

JM: So then, what’s the hardest part about being a guide?

JW: The hardest part is probably relationships. What it has done to relationships; it makes [relationships] a little tougher when you’re not present.

JM: Personal relationships?

JW: ROMANTIC relationships! I think it’s really good for personal relationships, tenfold. But as far as romantic interests are concerned, it (guiding) seems to have always taken a toll on them.

JM: What is a trip or river that’s on your “bucket list”?

JW: Well, of course I want to paddleboard the Grand Canyon, and the Selway River. Definitely on my list.

JM: What’s your favorite kind of boat or vessel, and why?

JW: Of course, a paddleboard! Just because of the freedom, and the ability to push the limits with a very low threshold of fear.

JM: OK! Last but not least, what’s your favorite band?

JW: My favorite band -this week- is…. oh man, I don’t ever have a favorite band, I love them all! But I’m gonna throw Shiny Roots out there this week, because they cancelled their show in Santa Fe, and they didn’t get support there.

The New Mexico River Adventures crew are huge fans of green chile. We incorporate it into our signature lunch dish on our full day trips, because what are fresh fajitas without the true flavor of New Mexico?

 

Roasting the chiles doesn’t just give them that amazing, smokey flavor; it also blisters the skin of the fruit to make them easier to peel and prepare into the favorite and classic dishes of New Mexico.

The standard question at any New Mexican eatery is, “Red or green?” in reference to chile preference. The truth is, they are the same- just harvested at different times. Green chiles are harvested earlier, while the red chiles are red because they were left on the plant to further ripen. Red chiles are typically a little spicier than green, though a lot of that has to do with the variety of chile itself.

                                                                                                

Each variety of chile has a heat level (Scoville unit) range.  As an example, the variety named “NuMex Big Jim’s” are typically a medium heat (2500 – 3500 Scovilles) while “Sandia” or “Diablo” varieties can be hot to extra hot (5000 – 7000 Scovilles). When buying New Mexico chile, you are usually just offered mild, medium, hot, or extra hot- not necessarily a specific variety of chile.  Like most produce, the seed, dirt, water, altitude, and climate of the area in which the chiles are grown can all affect the flavor of the fruit.

New Mexico Gas Co. is starting a gas pipeline replacement project on Tues, August 1st 2017, between Pilar and Rinconada, NM along Highway 68. The 6 mile stretch to be replaced runs above ground on the geologically unstable West side of the Rio Grande between mile marker 30 and mile marker 24.  This side of the river in this area is prone to landslides, and the ground is constantly shifting due to underground springs and geological activity. The existing pipeline is 8″ in diameter, to be replaced with 12″ pipeline and rerouted to the East side of the river next to the North-bound lane of Highway 68.

This pipeline replacement project will run a predicted 4 months from August through November, and will hopefully be completed by Thanksgiving 2017. The road crews will be working on 1 mile stretches at a time, closing one lane of traffic on those mile stretches beginning August 8th. A pilot car will escort the traffic through the construction areas. Expected wait times are estimated at 15 minutes.

If you’ve booked a trip with us and are traveling to our Headquarters from Taos, please allow yourself an extra 30 minutes of travel time. The typical travel time is about 30 minutes, so plan on the drive down Highway 68 from Taos taking approximately an hour. Here at New Mexico River Adventures, we’re going to ensure our guests are impacted as minimally as possible by this project. Our river trips on the Rio Grande will still be going out every day, and a moderately short wait in traffic along a beautiful highway will absolutely not affect the high quality of our Racecourse and Rio Grande Gorge rafting trips. When you’re booking your trip with us, our reservationists can offer up helpful advice about the most convenient local accommodations to help you plan your routes and drive times.