Yampa River near Craig, through Little Yampa Canyon. Class I. South Beach to Duffy Mountain. May 17- May 18 or 19.

*A Possible Exploratory Day paddle May 20 may be added for a smaller party of experienced paddlers. 

     The South Beach to Duffy Mountain stretch of the Yampa is an easy flatwater/Class I trip through through Little Yampa Canyon.  This is an easy trip for people new to canoeing and canoe camping. Frosty mornings and strong headwinds can happen.  Usually we see several bald eagles’ nests with chicks. Sometimes golden eagles and white pelicans.

     If we have at least 3 canoes wanting just 1 night on the river and 3 canoes wanting 2 nights, we will arrange to have 2 groups paddling out at different times. A set of experienced paddlers (plus those wanting a slower trip) will be spending the second night at Horse Gulch, 3 miles short of Duffy Mountain in order to paddle out on the 19th, relocate to the 5 campsites at Juniper Hot Springs, and do a thorough scout by vehicle and on foot of the Maybell Ditch diversion reconstruction to see if a day paddle on the 20th from Juniper Hot Springs to hwy 40 near Maybell is now something that can be safely paddled. The diversion used to be class IV.

 Contact Karen A. to get added  for the standard South Beach to Duffy paddle and perhaps to join the smaller scout team for the day paddle on May 20th.

Karen A. canoekarena@msn.com