Float down Gunnsion River, Colorado

[tua]

Recently we took our GII out on a float down the lower Gunnison River near our home in western Colorado. We started from the town of Delta and followed the river for 24 miles downstream to a remote takeout. Despite the short distance, there's plenty to see and do, so we spread the trip over 3 days. Beautiful Dominguez Canyon, in particular, is worth any effort getting there with excellent hiking, waterfalls, bighorn sheep and ancient petroglyphs. The lower Gunnison is a gentle river, rated class 1+ or 2-; the few rapids offer a couple bumps and nothing more. Beyond the west bank lies Colorado's newest designated Wilderness Area, while small farms and orchards drfited by on the east bank. We brought back pleasant memories, plus an itch or two (it seems even paradise has no-see-ums and poison ivy.)

Tua

[tua]

A few more:

[tua]

Last few:

[PeteS]

Outstanding photos! What a great trip, thanks for sharing with the rest of us.

[Rogue Paddler]

Enjoyed your pics.........looks like a really nice easy paddle spreading it over a few days. Have to keep that area in mind. How bad were the bugs?
David in Santa Monica
Yukon Exp, Kodiak Exp, and Citibot

[flatwater]

There's another one to add to my list of dream paddles.
Some day, I hope. I hope.
I've got to get out of the mid-west. There's so little to boggle the mind here.

[hrhpj1]

I, too, enjoyed these pictures very much! I love to see where other Folboters are paddling and what adventures they are partaking in.

And, John, Here's to "Dream Paddles" and "Boggling the Mind!" I love the sound of both of those. Keep those pictures coming...we all are glued to the screen.

[bagboater]

I like your anti redneck head gear.
73 Gary

[whiskers]

Great pictures. Out of curiosity, let me ask: did you need to have some sort of a permit to do this (besides the obvious campsite reservation)?

[tua]

whiskers wrote:

Great pictures. Out of curiosity, let me ask: did you need to have some sort of a permit to do this (besides the obvious campsite reservation)?

No, you don't need to obtain a permit, nor are you required to reserve a campsite. You are required however to use only designated campsites. If you contact the BLM office in Montrose, they'll send you a map showing where these are, then you just look for the blue posts along the bank as you float along.

Tua

[tstockma]

Spectacular. Thanks. I'm in Denver--hmm maybe I will make this trip myself in the next 30 days, so your info about contacting the gov't is very welcome.

I have vintage boats. I don't want to wreck a boat, but don't mind a few nicks & bonks on the hull. It sounds like this is doable, at least at the water levels you found.

What dates were you there? I could check waterflow records & compare to forecasts, trying to hit similar conditions.

Would you recommend against the trip with the old wood & hypalon hulls? Do you think the more closed cockpit of the Super would be required? Or could I get by with the more open cockpit of the Glider?

Thanks for any thoughts--thanks again for the terrific photos & trip report!

Tom in Denver

[tua]

Spectacular. Thanks. I'm in Denver--hmm maybe I will make this trip myself in the next 30 days, so your info about contacting the gov't is very welcome.

I have vintage boats. I don't want to wreck a boat, but don't mind a few nicks & bonks on the hull. It sounds like this is doable, at least at the water levels you found.

What dates were you there? I could check waterflow records & compare to forecasts, trying to hit similar conditions.

Would you recommend against the trip with the old wood & hypalon hulls? Do you think the more closed cockpit of the Super would be required? Or could I get by with the more open cockpit of the Glider?

Thanks for any thoughts--thanks again for the terrific photos & trip report!

Tom in Denver

Tom,
Sorry, but I think it might be a bit late in the season now. We live near the Gunnison and it looks like levels have plunged from when we did it at peak flow (from snow melt) in late May. I think you'd be scrapping bottom too much now. Any of the boats you mention are fine; but in low flows like now, a river canoe would sit higher than most kayaks and be more manuverable among exposed rocks. It's also pretty hot out on the river now; think over 100 degrees.
Tua