Submitted by Bill Ashworth, Trip Coordinator
10 paddlers from RMCC boated the 25 miles from Loma CO to Westwater UT under beautiful skies and a lovely 3200 cfs flow. We chose a Sunday-Monday trip to access a reasonable campsite via Wreck.gov. This was a first time at the Fault Line II site and it proved to be delightful with one of the best landing beaches off all the BLM sites and the spectacular Rattlesnake Incline on both sides of the river. After running our shuttle, we were on the water a little after 11 and into camp (15 miles down river) a little after 2 with a quick lunch at Cottonwood.
We had had a good sampling of wildlife including desert bighorn sheep, pronghorns, bald eagles, and great blue heron. And a flock of turkeys who landed in our campsite during Happy Hour. Not much fall color in the canyon yet but spectacular aspens on I-70 between the tunnel and Aspen.
Speaking of Happy Hour, as often happens, the late afternoon treats under the dominant cottonwood kept us well supplied with calories right up to (and in some case replacing) dinner. A generous group for sure.
Thanks to Alan, Julia, Mark, and Randy for trip photos.
Figure 1At the Loma boat ramp
Figure 2 In the canyons with tandems in front and solo boats following just as God intended
Figure 3 Happy Hour
Figure 4 Packing up Monday morning
Figure 5 Nearing the Westwater ramp