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Notice of Colorado Class II Whitewater trip for members of the Rocky Mountain Canoe Club and the Missouri Whitewater Association.
I am announcing a joint trip for members of these two Clubs who would enjoy improving their whitewater skills and/or simply paddling Class II water. The trip will start the evening of August 15 at the Lottis Creek Group Campground near Gunnison, CO.
On Aug 16 we will divide into groups according to preference, ability and group size and paddle one of two Class II sections of the Taylor River. There are certainly harder sections also available for those who wish to run them. We will do the same on August 17.
On Aug 18 people may chose to paddle the Taylor for a third day or drive over Cottonwood Pass to partake of one of several sections of the Arkansas River. These sections include but are not limited to; The Fractions, Brown’s Canyon and several other possible reaches. The reason the trip occurs at this time is that the water managers decrease the flow in the Arkansas to natural levels, which typically is between 350 and 500 cfs, putting both Fractions and Brown’s into the Class II category. We again on the 19th and 20th.
We will camp on the 18th and 19th near Buena Vista. I have not yet settled upon the campground. The trip will provide for five days of paddling on these two rivers.
I am also considering some other fun activities. For example, possibly one night the Colorado folks would feed the group and on another the Missouri people would do the same. In addition to the magnificent scenery, the area also offers some of the finest mountain biking, hiking and fishing to be found anywhere.
Several months ago, when I started talking about this idea people from both clubs expressed interest so I thought it might be fun to try a joint trip. Missouri boaters have always been attracted to Colorado water and many RMCC boaters have a strong interest in the lovely Ozark streams that Missouri boaters know and love. It may be an opportunity to meet and paddle with people of like interest.
Canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats are all welcome. (Canoes are, of course, morally superior but we will attempt to refrain from mentioning that.)Both Clubs are members of the American Canoe Association so have identical trip waiver requirements. I will expect all participants to be dues paying members of one of the Clubs to satisfy the ACA waiver stuff. It is theoretically possible to accommodate as many as thirty people. The leadership of both Clubs have given permission to conduct a joint trip.
Lottis Creek Campground can easily hold the number but I don’t think I can reasonably manage more than 30 participants. (These are kayakers and canoeists after all; much like herding cats.) That means 15 from each Club, at least at first. I will accept the first 15 from each club who apply. Please keep in mind that the prime purpose of the trip is to provide a chance for people to paddle moderate, class II water. Some of these may be people who are newer to the sport and want more experience. Some, like me, may be older and no longer want to to run harder water, and some may just like this moderate level of paddling. I also welcome, and in fact, need more experienced paddlers to participate in order to lead and provide adequate on water safety.
I will do my best to find the correct run to meet your wishes in terms of difficulty. I also want to remind all participants that paddling whitewater in an inherently dangerous activity. The people around you will do their best to help in case of swims etc but each paddler is primarily responsible for his/her own safety.The cost of the trip will be the cost of the campgrounds divided by the number of participants. For example, the Lottis Creek group campground cost $250/night. If we have 25 people it will be $10 per night per person. There will also be parking fees at some of the putins we will use. There may also be some other nominal cost but I am currently unaware of any. I believe the waivers are free for Club members. The Group campground has two spots with electric and water hookups for RVs and one RV spot with no hookups, six tent pads and room for vans, trucks etc to park.
Along with several Colorado paddlers, I did an initial trip last August on the lower Taylor. It is as fine a five mile run of Class II water as I have ever paddled; clean, full of eddys, crystal clear water and no hidden traps. Please remember that every river changes every day so I can promise nothing but the Taylor is wonderful for folks wanting class II water. I have frequently paddled Fractions, Brown’s and other Arkansas runs at many different water levels.
The Fractions and Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas, at low water are slightly harder but, below 500 cfs, well within the limits of a competent Class II paddler. Fractions is more continuous; Brown’s more pool/drop. There are, in the Buena Vista/Salida area, several easier class II runs. On this trip there will be NO pressure for any participant to paddle water harder than their comfort level. My goal is to have fun and enjoy moderate challenge to our own limits.
I have conducted multiple trips for the MWA over the years. I only have one hard and fast rule. If I say we are leaving at 9 am, we are leaving at 9 am. This is so because with a large group we must be aware of both starting time and ending time. I don’t want the day dragging out for everyone because a few were not ready.
This is the first announcement of this trip. As more information becomes available I will pass it along.
If you are interested, please let me know and, please, send me an email so I can make a list. I will lock down places for the first 15 who let me know. but please also let me know if you are considering it so I may plan accordingly. If you have any questions or ideas please share them with me. Thank you.
Chris Kelly
(573)489-0684
cskelly1022@gmail.com -
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