Originally posted December 13, 2016
Arkansas RiverTrip – from Florence to Pueblo Reservoir and from the Res. to downtown Pueblo August 2-3, 2014
Water was 1260cfs – enough to widen the river, increase the options and make it easier to go around numerous strainers on the Florence run. 8 of us had a good day with the only troubles being spills getting into and out of boats. There were lots of cormorants and a few herons, but we missed the White Pelicans that were there in large numbers in April. Many of us camped at the Indian Springs Ranch Campground near Penrose for 1 or both nights. Don and Elva brought their beautiful parrot. Janet and I saw a few shooting stars. With additional people backing out of the Sunday run, Janet and I decided that we should take the easier option, which was running from Valco Park a little below Pueblo Reservoir’s dam down to the chutes a mile or so into the huge graffiti-art wall in dowtown Pueblo. The first section was delightful with numerous birds and an unpopulated feel. Then we stopped at the Raptor Center, checked the restaurant menu for future use, and hiked up the hill to see about 20 hawks, eagles, and owls. On the river again, we paddled through numerous manmade Class I “rapids” and finally came to the 9′ drop dam that is a must portage situation. We managed to get ourselves and boats down two 4′ walls and enjoyed the rock-infested rapid below the dam. It would be easy to portage the whole thing if you wanted to. Then we got into more of a town feel with many tubers and bikers. The final stretch included hundreds of paintings on a 45 degree concrete wall; it was very interesting and even beautiful in its own way. We will have to get this Pueblo run onto a future schedule as it is a nice Class I+ run for newbies if you skip the dam rapid. from Karen A.