Everyone always says people come to the Colorado mountains for the winters, but stay for the summers. If that is true, they're probably staying for summer rafting, arguably Colorado's most thrilling warm-weather extreme sport.

But, like skiing and snowboarding, rafting isn't really a rent-the-equipment-and-go kind of activity, especially for families with kids.

The river experts categorize Colorado's rapids into six categories. Class I, they say, is still, smooth-flowing water much like what might be found in a bathtub, but moving leisurely downstream. On the other end of the spectrum, taking that same bathtub and sending it over Niagra Falls paints a pretty accurate picture of a Class VI rapid, according to one guide.

Beginners and families looking for a rafting experience that will thrill, but not traumatize the kids — or more likely, the parents — should shoot for a course that runs somewhere in the middle, like Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting's Clear Creek beginner trip. It offers a trek through Class II and III waters with one or two exciting stretches of sustained rapids, but very few opportunities to watch a child or a spouse fly out of the raft into the cold water that was, very recently, snow.

Actually, the scariest part of this approximately 90-minute trip is the quick safety briefing guides give before groups even hit the water. Warnings about how to handle emergencies, such as falling out of the raft, conjure mental images of fairly frightening, but ultimately unlikely scenarios that pretty much melt away once out on Clear Creek.

The creek winds through Idaho Springs, a small mining town that claims to be the home of the genesis of the gold rush. The Rockies rise up on either side of the low-set river that keeps rafters on white water for the better part of the trip.

Between rapids, guides share local legends, like the story of Charlie Taylor, an early miner who lived into his nineties, attributing his long life to the fact that he never brushed his teeth, never took a bath and never kissed a woman. As the raft approaches each of the trip's 10 rapids, guides introduce them by their proper names, which include Mr. Twister, Castle Falls and Mountain Lion, a rapid named in the wake of a local tragedy.

The creek clings to the highway. Though Clear Creek beginner is not the most scenic trip, any noise from the interstate is drowned out by the water, while both new and young rafters get the opportunity to get comfortable with the sport without becoming bored.

The water is ice cold and everyone in the raft is going to get wet, but the outfitter is prepared for this, providing wetsuits and booties, which are surprisingly effective. Helmets and highly experienced guides will also put parents' minds at ease.

Kids as young as 6 and weighing at least 50 pounds can ride along, though no one under the age of 10 or 11 is expected to help paddle.

Over busy weekends, particularly July 4th, advanced reservations are a must.

For more information or to book a trip visit www.gorafting.com.