Río Simpson (Lower)

The lower Simpson flows through a glacially scoured valley that forms the northern boundary of Parque Nacional Río Simpson, and the southern extant of Reserva Nacional Coihaique. Vertical crags, plummeting waterfalls, virgin temperate rainforest, and a lush floral carpet of colorful wildflowers provide a picturesque panorama while driving through the valley. The mellow whitewater sports intermittent rapids interspersed between long flatwater pools. Most of the rapids can be scouted from the paved road that parallels the river.
From Puerto Aisén, 44 km northwest of Coihaique, drive east on the glorious pavement of highway 240. Park your car at Puente J. Sepúlveda near km marker 25 at elevation 110 meters, across the road from Salto Velo de la Novia and put in. Take out 8 km downstream near km marker 32.5 adjacent to Puente Cascade #2 and Cascada de La Virgen elevation 60 meters. You’ll have a short hike up to the road.

This 8 km class III•III+ roadside run has average drop of 6 mpk or 30 FPM and best run in spring/summer months with flows over 1000 CFS

Topo maps titled El Balseo, Río Correntoso