Northgate Canyon beta?

[jennifer]

We are interested in running Northgate Canyon, possibly as an overnighter with a 14' oar rig raft. CRC says the 6 mile gap campground takeout has a 1/2 mile long trail to the river. Can we DRIVE to the river? Because we can't carry the raft that far unless I start taking some serious steroids!

What about doing the "second-half of the canyon" and taking out at Pickaroon? Is this a better take-out, and how long, and how "mellow" is it?

Thanks,
Jennifer

[badkins]

1/2 mile seems like an exageration. I did it earlier this year and my guess would be the trail down to the river is maybe a 1/4 mile, maybe as little as 200 yards, anyways not too far but it is a grunt with a raft. Probably a moot point because all the (approved) campsites on the river are below 6 mile gap anyways.

[zbaird]

1/4 mile seems pretty accurate. steep, a real bear with a 12' oar raft and 4 dudes. opt for the float down. no reason to skip the canyon, it is fairly short.

brian, thanks again for the raft carry

[cooljerk]

For a two day float on the North Platte I would suggest putting in at Routt Access (mile 71, CO Highway 125) and taking out at Bennett Peak (downstream of the Sanger Ranch).

All told that would be about 30 river miles and makes for a nice two day.