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LA AGUASTECARio Santa Maria Rio Verde Upper Rio Verde Cascadas Micos El Salto Puente de Dios Ojo Frio Rio Gallinas |
La
Aguasteca or
better known as La Huasteca Potosina includes the world famous Rio Santa
Maria and its tributaries. The rapids range from towering travertine waterfalls
to giant boulder gardens. More than seven different rivers wind through
the Huasteca. The rivers are clean and clear, with water temperatures hovering
between 70 and 85 degrees. The climate is warm and dry. The forests around
the Santa Maria are lush and green. Flowering trees and moss covered cedars
line the riverbanks. (a note to Mexican Patriots and spelling bee winners:
I know it's not La Aguasteca!) Just to the south are the northern most reaches of the American Rainforest. The vegatation around the Santa maria is still lush and green. Parrots fly over head. Iguanas run across the trails and turtles bask in the sun along the river banks. The country side is rough and rustic. Most of the rivers are within 40 miles of Ciudad Valles, but most of the shuttles are on dirt roads. If you don't speak Spanish, you're going to need some help or a lot of time. Top
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| RIO SANTA MARIA | DESCRIPTION:
The world famous Rio Santa Maria deserves it's reputation as one of the
most beautiful whitewater rivers in the world. Turquoise blue water, dozens
of technical rock-gardens and the world famous Tamul endo hole are just
a few of the natural wonders of the area. The best whitewater on the Santa
Maria is in the Rincon Grande Canyon and the Tamul Canyon. Rincon Grande
is mostly straight-forward class III rapids formed by the gradiend and the
narrow canyon walls. The Whitewater in the Tamul Canyon consists of giant boulder gardens. The lines are tight and the drops steep. Don't be fooled by the mellow gradient of 21 fpm. This is a true pool drop river. There are eight significant rapids in this canyon along with another dozen smaller rapids. Three are big class Vs requiring due consideration. With a few quick portages these two canyons can be run in a fairly easy day.
The reputation
of the Santa Maria has kept all but the dedicated from exploring this
whitewater jewel. If you know the river and area, the Santa Maria is whitewater
wonderland with easy logistics and within the ability of most intermediate
paddlers. The highlight of the day is roundning the corner and seeing
the 240 foot wall-to-wall Cascadas Tamul. What makes it even better is
the Tamul endo hole just upstream.
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| RIO VERDE | DESCRIPTION:
The Rio Verde runs through a narrow basalt canyon. Long, tight rock-gardens,
bedrock micro-gorges, along with the requisite number of waterfalls make
the Rio Verde a classic whitewater river. The run leads to Puerta del Salto,
a spectacular 40-foot waterfall. Top |
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| RIO VERDE, UPPER |
DESCRIPTION:
The Narrows of the Green -- Mexican style! A fantastic adventure for advanced
paddlers. Starting in a narrow crack in the earth, the Rio Verde cuts
through a spectacular basalt gorge of waterfalls, rapids and stunning
scenery. The river
then goes through a series of small basalt gorges and falls. Look for
the horizion lines. Be careful one of these is 30 meter La Lluvisnosa.
Lower your boats and follow the exposed trail on the left. The rapid exiting
the pool is worthy of a portage as well. It has been run if pinning counts.
A few more tough rapids remain. Then the river spreads out into a long
afternoon of shallow shoals. |
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| OJO
FRIO |
DESCRIPTION:
This river is so remote it took us two years to find it. Even though it's
within an hour of my house and I followed it upstream twice only to become
discouraged. Ojo Frio flows through a narrow travertine gorge of non-stop
waterfalls and rapids. Best in early December before the irrigation season
ends the fun. The forest is dense giving the canyon the atmosphere of
a dark, remote jungle.
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| RIO GALLINAS |
DESCRIPTION: Small travertine dams and flower covered islands make the Gallinas a beautiful intermediate run. The narrow chutes and twisting channels are a blast to paddle. The run starts slow with long pools between each falls. Ther are a few nice endo spots. Towards the end of the run the rapids become closer together and somewhat more difficult. The surrounding country side is beautiful and lush.
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| EL SALTO |
DESCRIPTION:
El Salto is a classic blue water run of travertine falls and short steep
rapids. El Salto is an all-around favorite due to the incredibly warm
water and the unbelievable photo opportunities. All the rapids have been
run, but this is questionable since a huge flood in '96 changed many of
them. |
| CASCADAS MICOS |
DESCRIPTION: Cascadas Micos is the kayaker's Disneyland of waterfall fun. Ranging from 10 to 25 feet, the seven falls of Micos are kayak paradise. From novice to expert Micos is guaranteed fun for every level kayaker. Below the fall are a wonderful series of travertine rapids. Micos is a kayakers paradise similar to the famous Aqua Azul to the south. It's better in many ways: easy access, all the falls on the run are runable and have a chicken run as well. It's great staging area for a Santa Maria, Gallinas, Micos Loop. |
| PUENTE DE DIOS |
DESCRIPTION:
Below Tamul the Santa Maria changes names to the Tampaon, or as the locals
call it: Puente de Dios. The river flows through a wide open valley before
entering Caìon Tampaon. This is a narrow gorge of swirly single drop rapids.
A good intermediate run. The outstanding feature of the Tampaon is Puente
de Dios, a travertine springs that has spanned the river with a a natural
travertine bridge. The result is an unbelievable river on top of a river.
The bridge is portaged by climbing on top and wading a series of warm,
spring-fed teacups. |
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