Thrill Seekers Wanted

Conquering the Cache La Poudre with A Wanderlust Adventure

By Christopher C. Wuensch

All who wander are not lost—some seek an experience they’ll never forget.

For them, A Wanderlust Adventure has a raft ready and awaiting a run down the thrilling rapids of Colorado.

Very few outdoor activities are quite as synonymous with Colorado summers than whitewater rafting, and with good reason, as more than 107,000 miles worth of rivers annually carry more than 600,000 rafters on journeys of a lifetime.

“People remember the time they went whitewater rafting,” said Bob Klein, owner of A Wanderlust Adventure.

With 43 seasons traversing the Cache La Poudre and beyond under their life vests, no one knows the scenic waterways of Estes Park and Fort Collins better than the guides at A Wanderlust Adventure, which you can find via a short and gorgeous drive from Boulder and its surrounding communities.

Get to Know A Wanderlust Adventure

A Wanderlust Adventures was founded in 1982 and is an official Colorado Parks and Wildlife Licensed River Outfitter.

Klein got his start with A Wanderlust Adventures as a freshman in 1993 at Colorado State University after answering what would prove to be a life-changing ad. He met his wife during his second season as a guide and before long, the couple purchased A Wanderlust Adventure.

And while hairstyles, fashion and music have all changed drastically during the last three decades, the river, says Klein, remains the same.

A Wanderlust Adventure is one of about five whitewater rafting companies in the state.

After “wading” through the pandemic, which witnessed business down close to 25 percent, the rafting industry boomed in 2021 and 2022, before coming back down a bit last year.

One of the standouts of A Wanderlust Adventure is its special use permits with Roosevelt National Forest, as well as access to Cache La Poudre, Colorado’s only river protected by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. That means a cap on the number of riders each year, unlike waterways such as Clear Creek, which can see upward of twice as many riders per year.

Now is a great time to get on the river, says Klein. 

Getting on the Water

The Cache La Poudre is running medium high these days, courtesy of an above average snowpack season.

“The water is fantastic now,” says Klein, who promises a “trip for everybody.” That includes outings for outfits such as kid camps, church groups and sports teams, which are big right now. That’s in addition to corporate events and even bachelor and bachelorette “Last Fling” packages.

A Wanderlust Adventure offers two rafting trips called “Taste of Whitewater” and “Blast of Whitewater,” each offering their own unique slice through Colorado paradise.

Taste of White Water

This half-day excursion out of Fort Collins rolls over Class II and III rapids with names such as Pinball, Thunder Alley and Killer Bridge and is great for beginner to intermediate level riders.

“They love how continuous the rapids are,” Klein says of reviews he regularly hears.

The Taste of Whitewater runs a pair of two-hour outings with arrival times at 9:30am and 2:15pm.

Blast of Whitewater

This trip down the Poudre is for those with a little bit more of an adventurous spirit…and an age exceeding 14 years old.

Those squaring off against Class III and IV rapids such as “Twin-Pin” and “Mishawaka Falls” provide a fun challenge for intermediate and advanced riders on this technical and rocky stretch of river.

“We like to have more active and adventurous people on that trip,” warns Klein.

Just like the “Taste of Whitewater,” this trip launches twice a day out of Fort Collins and is a 2023 winner of Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award.

As if an unforgettable day on the river isn’t enough temptation, riders can also load up on breakfast, lunch or the famous cinnamon rolls at Vern’s Place, a local diner that opened in 1946, that’s located near A Wanderlust Adventure’s launch spot in the town of Laporte.

How They Do It

Once riders have selected their trip, they’re taken care of by a staff of 14 full-time guides and another six to eight part-timers. Among them are no first-time guides, including 18 who are certified in Swift Water Rescue.

All totaled, the guides of A Wanderlust Adventures have a combined 240-plus years on the rivers with an average experience range at roughly 13 years per guide.

The fleet has added a dozen new NRS Expedition Series Rafts within the last two seasons. These rafts are eight feet long, six and a half feet wide and fit eight riders and a guide per trip.

Back on terra firma, riders can load up on shirts, hats and more via a 2,000-square-foot retail location that boasts the largest supply of Wanderlust merchandise.

Plus, you never know who you’ll spot also taking in a ride. Some notable past riders include Kevin Bacon and Luke Wilson, as well as Chuck Norris in 1995 while filming “Walker Texas Ranger.” It seems the spot along the river made for the ideal shooting location after a nationwide search.

A celebrity endorsement isn’t necessary, however. As Klein says, it’s not just the thrill of a lifetime.

“It’s so pretty up there, too,” says Klein of the river closest to Estes Park and Fort Collins.

Rides begin at $87 for “Taste of Whitewater” and $99 for “Blast of Whitewater.” Items such as wetsuits and wet shoes to jackets, sunglasses and more can be rented on site. All trips include free use of paddle jackets, too. Find more information or book your trip today by visiting awanderlustadventure.com.