| PLEASE STAY OFF THE TRACKS!
I know that the BLM and railroad do not own the water and agree that they should not be allowed to "trash it or impede it's flow". However, the trash in the canyon is a problem that is secondary to an unfavourable standing with the railroad and the (albeit remote) possible loss of our current access point.
History in the area has shown that the railroad can exert great influence on the area land owners. Partially due to a couple of fisherman being hit and killed by trains in the eighties, the railroad became aware of access to the canyon from river right near the gauging station. You could drive almost all the way to the canyon cross the tracks and put in. I believe that they contacted the landowner who owns the ranch through which the road is located (Grand River Ranch ?). Subsequently river access through his land and crossing of the tracks was denied and enforced by the Grand Co. Sheriff's Dept, railroad and landowner.
As a result, boaters then had to put in at the current access point. At the time, the access road traveled across land belonging to the Youst family and the put in was either BLM or even owned by the Youst's. It was common practice to stop at Jim's house on the west side of the Blue and inform and/or ask to use the put-in. The Youst's have always been very friendly and willing to let boaters use the road as long as they "knew the rules". The rules were simple: no camping at the put-in, pack out your trash, stay on the road, close the gate and most importantly stay in the river, do not walk on ranch property to cut through switchbacks in the river. (With the exception of closing the gate, all the rules still apply)
A few years ago, the BLM either purchased or offered to manage the right of way. This was due in part to increased use of the put in that was recorded in the log book. The road was improved, toilet built, cattle guard installed at the gate. Signs have been installed at the put in road and at Pumphouse with a map of Gore. Sweet! This was evidence of the Kremmling BLM's office support of growing recreational river running through Gore Canyon. And a far cry from several years ago (1993) when I told a friend who guided on the Pumphouse run that I was racing through Gore and coming back to work for a raft company up there. He said I was full-of it. "Big Gore Canyon is unrunnable. No one goes up there!" The Kremmling BLM rocks!
The Kremmling BLM has been a tremendous supporter of access to Gore. We should be grateful for their support (John, Ryan, Matt, etc.). What happened on race day was a result of meetings held by persons and commitees that are higher up in the chain of command in the railroad, BLM, and law enforcement. It was a huge misunderstanding/overreaction/misinterpretation of what was needed and requested to allow the event to happen. But, even though they can't prevent us from floating on a public right waterway, they can legally prevent access to said waterway through their land.
The only reason I could ever forsee anyone wishing to prevent access to Gore would be due to TRESPASSING ISSUES. I am merely stating that jeopardizing this run because of NEEDLESS AND UNNECESSARY TRESPASSING is just plain stupid and easily avoidable. The next upstream access point is where Hwy 9 crosses the river, another 4 miles of flatwater above the Blue.
The trash in the canyon is an annoyance and maybe sometimes a minor hazard (which can be removed or avoided with basic river rescue and running skills) . But, it does not justify anyone needlessly travelling on the railroad grade. If we remain in good graces with the railroad, maybe we can work together on a river clean-up. It'd beat haulin' the trash out by river. The guys on the trains and in the work trucks are really nice and get a kick out of us running the rapids.
All I am asking is stay off the tracks and railroad grade (and Youst land). (And try to cleanup your dog poo at Pumphouse please)
Thanks,
TK | 
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