[porters8]

Just got this email from rec.gov. Looks like they're finally getting serious and cracking down. Sucks they had to go this route but glad they did.

 

[luke c]

This is good I think!
I could see the checking in process being problematic. I don’t believe I have ever come across a ranger at the put in but I don’t do Ruby much.

 

[smhoeher]

Our group usually launches at the state park near Fruita. Sucks that we'll have to stop and check in at Loma but we won't complain too loudly if it helps solve the problems.

 

[DanKiely]

This is good I think!
I could see the checking in process being problematic. I don’t believe I have ever come across a ranger at the put in but I don’t do Ruby much.

They put a register book at the put in and you are supposed to fill it out if no one is there. When we put in at Rimrock we stopped and signed in last year.

 

[Benjamin W.]

This is good I think!
I could see the checking in process being problematic. I don’t believe I have ever come across a ranger at the put in but I don’t do Ruby much.

Agreed that this is a good thing. This could 1) stop people from abusing the booking system to get the campsites they want before the 60 day window and 2) prevent no-shows allowing more people to get on the river.

re: check-in process - There is a sign-in box at Loma that you will use in the absence of a ranger present.

 

[DanKiely]

Our group usually launches at the state park near Fruita. Sucks that we'll have to stop and check in at Loma but we won't complain too loudly if it helps solve the problems.

I don’t think you’ll need to show any gear or anything like that. If there’s someone there you just give them your permit info and they log it. If they not there you just walk up to the board and enter it yourself in the log.

 

[Blade&Shaft]

Anyone who is serious and respectful about boating shouldn’t have an issue with any of this. It’s not a new system, just new to this well-worn and abused stretch.

 

[porters8]

Yes, glad they are doing this. And signing in at Loma is super easy. My comment was more in regards to how sad it is that we couldn't self police and they were forced to regulate this. You know what they say about bad apples!

 

[ArgoCat]

About time!

 

[gbheron]

They will definitely be checking the self-register if a team get isn’t present. Don’t forget to sign in.

 

[KlaustheK]

This is excellent. We run the Fruita stretch often and ran into check in rangers several times last year. It's good to see the policy gain some teeth. Hopefully this makes it easier to pick up last minute permits.

 

[wack]

While this is all well and good. It still doesn't prevent people from reserving sites on Rec.gov a week ahead of time. Joe Blow rafter can still reserve under his friend's name and that friend incurs the penalty. Unless there is on-river enforcement and campsite permits actually getting cancelled the next day after someone doesn't check in, this language doesn't fix the problem. Preventing extended stays on Ruby would fix the issue, or go back to the 8am reservation click war that was there previously. I can't realistically see someone taking more than 3 days on the float unless they're a science trip which would be permitted differently.

 

[DanKiely]

While this is all well and good. It still doesn't prevent people from reserving sites on Rec.gov a week ahead of time. Joe Blow rafter can still reserve under his friend's name and that friend incurs the penalty. Unless there is on-river enforcement and campsite permits actually getting cancelled the next day after someone doesn't check in, this language doesn't fix the problem. Preventing extended stays on Ruby would fix the issue, or go back to the 8am reservation click war that was there previously. I can't realistically see someone taking more than 3 days on the float unless they're a science trip which would be permitted differently.

It said if you don’t check in on your launch date your permit will be canceled. I wonder how many times a canceled site will be contested if the original holder shows up and no one is at the put in…
If I pick up any last minute sites I think I’ll call to find out if it was a no show from earlier in the week and get to camp early!!

 

[atg200]

Rock climbers use longer than 3 day trips, as do families with little kids that like really short days on the water. Extended Ruby trips aren't the problem.

 

[Paco]

Totally agree. We did a six day during Covid lock down and it was awesome! By the time we got to our last night we considered heading home a day early, but couldn't pass up a night at Knowles.

 

[DanKiely]

Totally agree. We did a six day during Covid lock down and it was awesome! By the time we got to our last night we considered heading home a day early, but couldn't pass up a night at Knowles.

Man Knowles…. We always talk about it but never go cause we don’t take that extra day!!

 

[Granite]

I don’t think you’ll need to show any gear or anything like that. If there’s someone there you just give them your permit info and they log it. If they not there you just walk up to the board and enter it yourself in the log.

There was extensive coverage at Loma last year and numerous patrols at least on the weekends. Expect to see someone at the ramp most days. Also, there is a gear inspection that goes along with checking in your permit like most other major stretches.

 

[DanKiely]

There was extensive coverage at Loma last year and numerous patrols at least on the weekends. Expect to see someone at the ramp most days. Also, there is a gear inspection that goes along with checking in your permit like most other major stretches.

I never had to show gear last year. Probably had 6 or 7 trips. Saw assistance ranger volunteers who checked us in by telling us about the new rules and logging us in.
I'd love to see rangers at the put in too, but we only saw them on the river. 🤷🏽 Couldn’t say for sure how many times I put in on a Friday or Saturday. Two Sunday put in for sure. Probably 2 Wednesday or Thursday put ins…. I think the only Fri or Sat was when we got delayed and didn’t show up until mid afternoon, so definitely not high volume times.

 

[westernCOboater]

I thought the issue was people gaming the system by getting permits under false names on days ahead of their intended launch so the campsites the want would be available when they want them. IDK

 

[wack]

Unless they put a notice on the front page of the permit page people will ignore it. It’s still going on…..no way is Mee Canyon and BR5 booked a week ahead of May 9th