By Chris Kelly
Class II Trip for members of the Rocky Mountain Canoe Club and the Missouri Whitewater Association
The genesis of this trip was my continuing interest in paddling Class II whitewater along with an affection for both these excellent organizations.
Both clubs granted permission to conduct a combined trip, which was also under the rules and insurance of the American Canoe Association. We ended up with about 33 total participants, roughly one third from RMCC and two thirds from MWA. Everyone did not paddle every day. After publicizing the idea among the members of both, August 17 was set as a starting date.
People arrived at the US Forest Service Lottis Creek Group Campsite on the afternoon and evening of the 16th. On the evening of the 16th I cooked chili for the group, thinking that a group meal would give paddlers from the two clubs time to get acquainted with each other. Others contributed veggies and desserts. The group interaction was lovely, even if the chili was not.
We spent two days canoeing, kayaking, duckying on Lower Taylor River, starting at Five Mile Bridge. This section was chosen because it presents a lovely five mile section of class II water, roadside, without any particularly dangerous obstacles in a classic Colorado river gorge. The setting is stunning. I previously scouted the three miles above Five Mile Bridge to see if we could include it but it has one rapid with a tight vertical drop and private land on both sides so a portage was not feasible.
The first day we boated from Five Mile to Almont. The group seemed to enjoy themselves and probably more than half took advantage of the endless eddies and chutes to hone their ferries, peel outs, and eddy turns. I then decided that we should paddle 10 additional miles on the Gunnison, from its birth in Almont to the takeout right above Garlic Mike’s restaurant. That second piece made the day too long.
The second day was spent entirely in the section between Five Mile and Almont. We went much slower, spending quite a bit of time playing and practicing. Three Rivers Outfitters in Almont graciously allowed us to use their ramp and we ate at their excellent restaurant.
The proximity of the Lottis Creek campground made logistics simple. It is located right on the river about 12 miles above the put-in, has good pit toilets, electricity, water and, in some places, internet access. It is both a group campground and has 25 or 30 individual sites so it can accommodate a large group.
The morning of the 19th we drove over Cottonwood Pass across the Divide to the BLM Turtle Rock Group Campground near the Arkansas River. For those who know the river, it is north of Buena Vista on the east side of the gravel road near the old RR tunnels. I was previously unaware of this campground but it was a good find; also beautiful but in a high desert piñon setting. It has good pit toilets but no water or electricity and nice flat camping. Again, there are also individual sites so room is not an issue. It featured wonderful high Colorado sunsets.
On the 19th some people paddled from Stone Bridge to Big Bend and some the Milk Run from Highway 24 to Ruby Mountain.
On the 20th we experienced the high point of the trip with the entire group paddling the Fractions from Railroad Bridge to Frog Rock takeout. This was truly a great day on the river. The level was 275 cubic feet per second which meant there was plenty of challenge for our newer and less experienced paddlers but without the big push which can raise the level to nearer class III and result in longer swims. We did have several swims and I wish I had video of them because in each case they were models of how good paddlers respond quickly and efficiently to assist others on the river. I feel so fortunate to have had several excellent paddlers from both clubs. These folks provided leadership for our small river groups, taught newer paddlers about whitewater boating and were safety hawks throughout the trip.
We made a point to observe proper river safety and had no injuries except my pinching my finger in my trailer hitch.
I was probably too conservative with my choice of sections but wanted to error on the side of caution on this first, but I hope, not last, joint trip. Chris King from MWA was of immense help in taking over the internet communications. Lindsay and Brooke Meeks of RMCC both were vitally important, keeping me within the ACA requirements. Many others also helped a bunch.
One aspect which pleased me was the relationships that began between the members of the clubs. In this case RMCC people knew the territory better but it became clear that several RMCC folks were interested in paddling the wonderful national waterways in Missouri and Arkansas and there the MWAers are in their element.
On a logistical note, I chose this late August time because that is when the artificial flows shutoff on the Arkansas River and, while the big dogs regard the season as being over, it is when the Fractions, Brown’s Canyon and other sections of the Arkansas become available to the class II paddler. The Taylor, because of the need to maintain its world class fishery, is always runnable. There are also fewer bugs.
Future trips could easily be structured so that more experienced people could paddle the upper sections of the Taylor and the more challenging reaches on the ARK but still camp together.
Speaking of camping, both the campgrounds are really excellent. It’s important to reserve early but both could easily accommodate a larger club trip.
If I were to do it again, and I want to, I would shorten the first day, and open it up to more paddlers who are interested in doing harder sections. I would also try to build in a run on Brown’s Canyon for those class II people who wanted that experience. However, my first priority would remain providing an opportunity for newer paddlers, older paddlers and less experienced paddlers to experience the beauty and enjoyment of moderate Colorado whitewater.
I would be immensely grateful for feedback from this year’s participants as well as questions or ideas from interested paddlers. Let me know if we should do it again and, please do not be concerned for my feelings when sharing ideas or making comments.
Chris Kelly