Boating Lightner Creek or Pine

[cosurfgod]

Does anybody want to run Lightner Creek or the Pine this week?

I looked at Lightner Creek yesterday and the upper section looked like it had some good drops. I paddled the lower section earlier in the year and it was OK but now it has more water in it and the upper section looks much steeper and faster.

The Pine currently has close to 800 cfs in it. I have never boated or looked at it but it looks like we would put in at the damn and run it to Bayfield.

If anybody would like to boat either of these runs this week after work please call or PM me. I am in no matter what the weather is like.

Thanks
970-749-1789

[tony]

I guess I have missed something. I looked at a map around bayfield and didnt see this creek. could anyone fill me in?

[stonej]

I'm in if I can get off work early enough. If not, how about this weekend? I have been wanting to get on the Pine, but havent had the time. I have a friend that has property on the start of the Pine, so access isnt a problem.

Peace,
Josh
615-498-7831

[El Flaco]

The Pine is pretty, but the whitewater is not especially high quality- I put in below the dam at about 600 (I think, it was about 10 years ago)& there was one IIIish rapid and another river-wide playwave, but that's all that stuck in my mind. It was cold, I remember, because I had to hike across snow to get to the river from where we parked.

Lightner is over next to the Red Lion in Dgo, not Bay Vegas. Lot of debris (branches, etc). I've only run the last section from below Wildcat to the Animas, and I can recall much of anything special- but we didn't have a lot of water & we had to walk around all the branches. If it was cleaned out, the run might have a better flow to it.

The Piedra has 900 at the guage- that would be a better option, even though you have to put in above Pagosa. The bottom section gets a creeky feel at low water, especially from the Eye through Lucifer's. Plus the Hot Springs will be exposed, so you can stop and warm up there. However, it will be freaking cold- bring a small stove so you can have a hot lunch at the Campground, that helps a lot. We started a small fire there the last time I did an early season run for the full 22 miles.

[cosurfgod]

I would run the Piedra, I just don't have enough time after work.

Stonej, I can meet you in Bayfield anytime after 4pm to run the Pine. Tomarrow is good for me, lets do it.

Thanks

[stonej]

I gotta teach roll classes in Farmington Tues & Weds night unfortunately. Maybe Thursday or Friday. Any idea how long the run is? I can look it up to guess how much time it would take.