RIO TURBIO

El Rio Turbio is about a ten minute drive outside the kayak mecca of Pucon Chile. Along with bearing an awesome similarity to my own title, the river is littered with great rapids. The river follows the path of Volcan Villaricas last eruption. This makes for a unique and sharp river bed.

the take out waterfall // photo: mira kodada // paddler: mike goglin

To get to the river start by heading east out of Pucon until you see a sign that reads El Cerduo. This is your turn up the river. If you cross the river on the highway you have gone too far. The dirt road will cross several little streams. Travel about 4 miles up the road until you reach a bridge. This is your take out.

put in // photo: mike goglin // paddler: jakub sedivy

The river generally runs after a good rain but can be run low. You can gauge the flow by walking 100 yards down stream to a 25ft falls. If the falls looks good, upstream should be too. Note that the rapid above the bridge looks boney but understand the river is more narrow higher up. You walk upstream on a 4x4 trail on river left and scout as you walk upstream. All the rapids are easily scoutable and easily portaged. The put in is an unmistakable split falls followed by one of the longest slides in Chile. The 30ftr at the top left of this slide is runnable but lands in a narrow and shallow pool.

photo: jakub sedivy // paddler: mike goglin

This run is mostly just stupid fun with an overall rating of IV-V.