Canoe Colorado
Performance Canoes and Sea Kayaks

Joint Canoe Colorado and RMCC Trips

Let's Paddle 2004

Camp below Onion Creek Rapid, Colorado River near Moab, UT
 

Welcome

Starting in 2004, Canoe Colorado is working in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Canoe Club to offer some of our trips as joint trips. These trips will be run through the Canoe Colorado group, but the trip leaders are also members of the Rocky Mountain Canoe Club. The trips can be published by both groups, and will follow the rules of both groups. On these joint trips, participants are required to sign a release of liability waiver which covers both the RMCC and Canoe Colorado.

For a full listing of trips offered by the Rocky Mountain Canoe Club visit:
http://www.rockymountaincanoeclub.org/schedule.html

General Rules

Cost:  There is no charge for any of our trips. We are not outfitters, we are simply a group of people who enjoy paddling, and we open our trips so that others may join us. If you are looking for an outfitter, let us know, and we can refer you to someone who can help you.

Food and Equipment:  We do not provide any equipment for our trips, we only provide a group to go paddling with. Everyone is responsible for their own supplies, and people must be self-sufficient. Self sufficiency creates redundancy, which increases the margin of safety in a wilderness setting.

We do not coordinate cooking group meals, or potluck type meals. We understand that potluck type meals are common with the RMCC, however we have found that over the years our group has shown a preference for individual meals.

BLM approved toilets are required on some trips. Like all other equipment, we do not provide toilets, but we will be happy to sell you one should you need it. Toilets must be BLM approved, washable and reusable. On the trips that require the toilet, be prepared for an inspection by the local rangers.

People and Pets:  Only two people per tandem boat, and one person per solo boat. Overloading boats is not safe. Paddlers in tandem boats must be able to control their end of the boat. Children are discouraged on our trips because they often find them too long and tiresome. Pets are not allowed.

Other rules:  Boats on our trips must have supplemental floatation (i.e. float bags), along with safety straps on both bow and stern (we can show you how to use your 12' tie down straps for this purpose). Each boat must carry a spare paddle and a bailing device. Lifejackets must be worn at all times when paddling.

We practice minimal impact camping, where we leave our campsites looking better than when we arrived. NO FIRES! Pack out what you pack in. We come to the water to find peace and solitude, please respect peoples right to quiet.

We prefer to paddle early, and spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or exploring. We often break camp between 7:00 and 7:30am, take a lunch break around 11:00, and stop for camp before 2:00pm. This allows us to paddle when the wildlife is abundant and before the wind picks up. By starting early, we can also set up camp early, while still paddling a good distance.

Green River approaching Swallow Canyon, Colorado- Utah Boarder

Beginner Trips

Beginner trips are open to all types of canoes and sea kayaks. The only restrictions we place on craft are that the boat must be large enough to carry the amount of gear necessary for the trip. Beginner trips assume that paddlers are able to control their boats on calm water, and are not necessarily appropriate for someone who has never been in a boat before. If you are interested in a beginner trip, and would like help with your paddling skills, let us know. We will be happy to meet with you before a trip to go over basic paddling skills.

The beginner trips we are offering this year include our Brighton to Ft Lupton trip on May 8, the North Platte from Pick Bridge to Ft. Steel on June 5-6, and the Arkansas from Pueblo Reservoir to Pueblo on June 20.

Intermediate Trips

Intermediate trips follow our traditional rule structure. Solo boats must be at least 15', tandems 17' in length. These trips move a little faster and farther than our beginner trips. We put the rule in effect because we found that people in shorter boats were having to work way too hard to keep up with the group. We don't like to paddle with the group spread out for miles, we prefer to keep together, so we developed the rule to keep the pace enjoyable for all. This rule is not in effect to imply we don't like people with shorter boats. It has to do with efficiency and paddling enjoyment. If you have an efficient boat, you can paddle farther with less effort, and that is what we do.

Advanced Trips

Advanced trips fall into two categories. Fast trips and Whitewater trips. Rules specific to each advanced trip will be posted within the trip description. Fast trips require solo boats to be at least 17', tandems 18'6". Fast trips move at a near race pace, and include such trips as the 53 mile upstream trip on the Green River this March. Whitewater trips require whitewater specific canoes and appropriate paddling skills. Whitewater trips include Pumphouse in April and the Dolores in May.

Additional Comments

2/23/04

Jerry received a nasty call the other day from someone claiming to be a RMCC member. While most of the comments by this individual do not need to be mentioned (they were very rude and inappropriate), their initial complaint deserves an answer.

This individual thought it was unfair that we have length restrictions on our trips. They also complained about the speed of our trips, and the distances we cover. They thought we should open up our trips to all types of canoes, and that we should shorten our trips and slow our pace. All just to accommodate them. They felt they were entitled to go on our trips, irregardless of their ability.

We are not outfitters. We are paddlers. We lead the types of trips we are personally interested in. The Canoe Colorado group has grown because of like minded individuals who enjoy these trips.

We do not get paid to lead these trips. We are not guides. We are just people who like to get out and paddle, and we offer our trips to like minded individuals.

It is insulting to have someone tell us we should lead the type of trip we would personally hate, just because they are unable or unwilling to go on our normal trips. Again, we do not get paid to do this. We are under no obligation to lead trips for anyone. We are paddling out of a desire to be on the water, nothing more. These are the trips we are personally interested in, and because we want to go on these trips, we lead them. If we were not interested in going, why would we do it?

If someone feels our trips are too long, and our rules are unfair, there is an easy solution. They can lead their own trip! The RMCC will help promote your trip, and they can then find a group of like minded paddlers to join them. It's that easy.

We will not ruin our trips to accommodate people who do not wish to follow our structure. We already have a paddling group, our trips are already popular, and everyone in that group supports the rules structure, the pace, and the distances we cover. We have opened up our trips to the RMCC because we feel there are people in the club who are also interested in this style of tripping. Just because we offer our trips to the club, does not mean we have to offer trips for everyone in the club.

- Eric Nyre

P.S. I'm not certain the person who harassed Jerry was actually a RMCC member. Everyone I know and paddle with in the club are nice, and we all understand that it is impossible to lead a trip for everyone. Personally I believe this person visited the RMCC site, learned about these trips, and pretended to be a member just to justify their bad attitude. However since they learned about these trips from this site, I believe it is appropriate to post a response here. It is amazing what people think they are entitled to.

4/3/04  Speed Clarification

I have been talking to some people who were trying to find ways around the length rule. The rule isn't set in stone, there is some flexibility. The reason behind the rule is to maintain the speed of the group and to make sure everyone is able to stay together comfortably. We're not going to sit there and say "Your boat is 16'11.9" you can't come". That's just silly.

The trips do move at different speeds. To see how you match up, use a GPS on a lake and see how your all day paddling speed matches up with the average speeds for the different groups.

Beginners Trips: If you can comfortably keep up a 3mph pace for a few hours, then you won't have any problem. I tend to paddle a 16'4" Sea Otter, or a 15'10" We-no-nah Rendezvous (both solo boats) on the beginner trips.

Intermediate Trips: These move a little faster, averaging 4mph on lakes. I'll usually use a 17'6" Pursuit (solo sea kayak).

Fast Trips: Near race pace, we will be paddling in excess of 5mph for hours at a time. A good example is our recent Spanish Bottom to Mineral Bottom trip on the Green. We maintained an average speed of 3mph, which sounds slow except that we were paddling upstream against the current! No shuttle ride from Spanish Bottom for us, we paddled out.

All this talk of speed, length rules, and such makes the trips sound like work. That's not the case. If you have the right equipment, and fair paddling skill, then the trips are fairly easy. It's just when someone is not properly prepared for a trip that there are problems. As a trip leader I want to eliminate as many problems as possible before my trips, to ensure that all my participants have a good time. For most people our pace is actually quite comfortable. It's all a matter of being prepared, having the right equipment and the right skill.

As a side note, anyone interested in learning efficient canoe technique is welcome to come paddle with us in the afternoons/ evenings. It's also a good opportunity to feel the pace of a trip, and if it is comfortable for you.

- Eric Nyre

I equate having the right canoe along with having the right bike. Imagine doing a bicycle tour of Yellowstone using a low gear mountain bike. The mountain bike, like a whitewater canoe is awesome in it's environment, but the paved roads of Yellowstone are not it's ideal environment. Touring canoes have lots of glide, they keep moving long after you stop paddling. They are designed to move at good speeds with minimal effort. If paddling your boat feels like work, something is wrong. It should not be work.

Trip Schedule

This trip is rated intermediate only because the cold water temperatures cause a hazard should someone capsize. There is no length rule in effect.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information

Rules and Guidelines
 

This is a fast paced exploration of the Green through Canyonlands. We will start at Mineral Bottom and race down to Spanish Bottom in two days or less. There we will turn around and work our way back upstream for the rest of the week to Mineral Bottom. This is an early season conditioning trip. Solo kayaks must be at least 17', tandems 20'.

The Green through Canyonlands passes through beautiful Stillwater Canyon. We will paddle, hike and explore the length of this canyon for the week. Side canyons will offer us hiking opportunities into the Maze and Island in the Sky districts of Canyonlands.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

Some of the Arches in Rattlesnake Canyon (BLM Photo)

We are offering two Loma-Westwater trips for this weekend. This first trip is an extended trip, devoted to hiking some of the canyons in the Black Ridge Wilderness Area. We will launch Thursday morning to hike Rattlesnake Canyon, camping at or above Mee Canyon. On Friday we will hike Mee Canyon as an overnight hike. Saturday we will return to our boats and meet the second group. Sunday we will paddle out to Westwater. Individuals who are not interested in the overnight Mee hike are welcome to remain camped at Mee Canyon. BLM toilets are required.

More information on the Black Ridge area (including a photo of the Mee cave) can be found on the BLM website:
http://www.co.blm.gov/colocanyons/ccncablkrdgwild.htm

Contact Eric Nyre for more information

Rules and Guidelines

Ruby Canyon (BLM Photo)

An overnight trip without the hiking of our multi-day trip. This trip will launch Saturday morning and meet with the first group to camp at Mee Canyon. The Colorado River passes through scenic Ruby and Horsethief Canyons. This is a very popular trip, but by going in April we will avoid the crowds. BLM toilets are required.

Contact Jerry Nyre for more information.   303-344-2813

Rules and Guidelines
 

This has been rescheduled from April 24th.

An early season whitewater day trip, we will launch at Pumphouse and continue to State Bridge or beyond. This trip requires whitewater canoes with appropriate floatation. Paddlers should be dressed for cold water.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information

Rules and Guidelines
 

This section of the Dolores passes through Little Glen and Slick Rock canyons. This is an exploratory trip, because we have never paddled this section before. This trip requires whitewater canoes with appropriate floatation. Paddlers should be dressed for cold water. This section passes through a wilderness study area, and as such the group size is limited to 16 paddlers.

The Dolores river is dam controlled, and this year with uncertain water levels we do not know if there will be sufficient water for this trip. If not, we will paddle the Dolores through Mesa Canyon which is below the confluence with the San Miguel.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

This is an excellent section of river for beginner paddlers. It is flat with slow current and only two drops. Length restrictions are waived for this trip.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

Contact Eric Nyre for more information
 

This section of the Green passes through the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. This trip is back by popular request due to the abundance of wildlife observed. Since there is no camping allowed within the refuge, we will car camp the first night, and river camp the second night once we have left the refuge.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information

Rules and Guidelines
 

Our annual beginners overnight trip. It is our only overnight trip where we waive our length restrictions. Learn how to paddle on a river, and enjoy a relaxing overnight trip.

Contact Jerry Nyre for more information  303-344-2813

Rules and Guidelines
 

The North Platte below Pick Bridge, WY

A longer trip to complement our Pick Bridge trip. We will start at Treasure Island, and meet the other group at our regular campsite.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines

Trip Reports: North Platte Treasure Island to Saratoga     Saratoga to Pick Bridge

 

This rarely paddled section of the Arkansas sits in the transformation section where the river changes from from the steep mountains to the mellow prairie. There is one mandatory portage around a small diversion dam, otherwise the river is open. This is an interesting run, with a wide range of scenery. We will take out on Pueblo Reservoir.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

Back by popular request. This section of the Arkansas is excellent for beginner paddlers. The upper section passes through a cottonwood lined valley while the lower section goes through the worlds largest mural. There are two mandatory portages, but otherwise the river is generally calm. This is a good trip to introduce children and family members to the joys of paddling.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

This year we are offering a paddling sampler for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This two week long sampler is broken down into a series of smaller trips.

Rules and Guidelines

Week of July 10 - 17
Canoe and Sea Kayak Trips     solo boats must be at least 15', tandems 17'

Yellowstone River     Livingston to Columbus, MT
75 miles   class I

Three days exploring the Yellowstone River between Livingston and Columbus. This section of the river is generally flat, with rolling hills. The river is wide and moves around large islands. Jerry grew up along this section of river, so beware of his reminiscing.

Snake River     Jackson Dam to Moose and Wilson Bridge to East Table Creek
50 miles  class II

The Snake River above Moose, Grand Teton National Park, WY

The Snake River in these two sections is absolutely spectacular. The river between Jackson Dam and Moose passes through the lower end of Grand Teton Park, with Mt. Moran and Grand Teton sitting in the background. Below Wilson Bridge the river enters the upper section of Alpine Canyon, and offers a deep canyon with large standing waves.

Greys River     Sheep Creek to Lynx Creek
22 miles  class II

We added the Greys River to the end of this trip by request. The Greys is a small tributary of the Snake, which ends up in Palisades Reservoir. We will be paddling the Greys as much for it's scenery as for it's excellent fishing.

Contact Jerry Nyre for more information.   303-344-2813

Week of July 18 - 25
Sea Kayak Only Trips     solo boats must be at least 17', tandems 20'

Lewis and Shoshone Lake - Three on Lewis and Shoshone Lakes. Shoshone Lake is accessed by paddling across Lewis Lake and then lining up the Lewis River to Shoshone Lake. We will spend one day at the geyser basin, hiking and exploring the area. On the return trip to Lewis Lake, we will paddle around Shoshone Lake.

Yellowstone Lake - Four days exploring the southwest arm of Yellowstone Lake, with a possible hike to Heart Lake.

Jackson Lake - One day paddling across Jackson Lake and hiking some trails on the opposite side of the lake.

All of these trips are subject to change. Each week will be slightly independent, so that people may join and leave. Group consensus will determine the schedule. We may add or remove trips, change sections or modify the plan based on water levels, weather, paddlers skill levels and interest.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs are long deep reservoirs in the upper section of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. These are exploratory trips where we will spend a day on each, camping up above.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines

Colorado River Race

Colorado River Race   Dotsero to Hanging Lake
Beginner Race
10 miles  class I

This is our annual race, and it will have classes for all skill levels. Over $500 in cash will be added to the awards, and over $500 worth of gear will be given away to participants in a drawing at the end of the race.

Contact Jerry Nyre for more information.   303-344-2813
 

A shortened version of our annual Labyrinth Canyon trip. We have reduced the paddling time in half, to allow for better hiking opportunities. BLM toilets are required. Canoes are discouraged due to wind.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

Granby Reservoir
Intermediate Trip

This trip is to enjoy the fall colors. A nearly full moon will allow excellent evening paddling opportunities around the various islands. Granby Reservoir is part of the Arapahoe National Recreation Area

This trip is rated Intermediate due to the cold water. There is no length rule in effect.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

This trip is to enjoy the fall colors. The Colorado River below Rifle passes along the cliffs of a wide valley. With easy access to I-70, and a very quick shuttle, this is a great "quick trip" to finish off the paddling year.

Contact Eric Nyre for more information.

Rules and Guidelines
 

Upcoming Trips for 2005!

We are already planning our long trip for 2005. Possible rivers include the Coppermine in Nunavut or the Noatak in Alaska. This will be a month long trip in July or August of 2005. The group size will be a maximum of 8 people. Anyone interested should be active with the group in 2004, so that we know each others skills and personalities.