[Cypress]

Hey Guys,

Just picked up a new raft this past weekend and the wife unit and myself are looking at doing an overnight float trip in a couple weeks. This is my first boat and we are new to the area, so a beginner to intermediate trip would be preferable. Any suggestions around the front range area?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kayakfreakus]

Ruby/HT would be easiest I can think of with water.

Westwater or Browns might also fit the bill.

 

[climber-420]

Upper Colorado...........Pumphouse to Radium or Rancho.

 

[Cypress]

Thanks for your response, but I have no idea what Ruby/HT is, nor Westwater? Can you please clarify? Apologies for my newbness.

 

[Cypress]

Thanks climber! I had considered the upper C... actually, just did Rancho to State Bridge last week for the maiden voyage. Any idea what the camping situations are like from Pumphouse to Radium?

Thanks!

 

[brendodendo]

Ruby / HT is Colorado / Utah boarder. Westwater is the next section down. I suggest getting a copy of White Water of the South West Rockies and Colorado Rivers and Creeks (if you can find it). As for Pumphouse to Rancho / State Bridge, there are many camps. Get there early and be on water early if you are concerned about finding a camp. You will need a grover. You can camp just about anywhere, but the designated camps are nicer with more shade. Do not over think it. Go out and find the adventure.

 

[Cypress]

Thanks for your help Brendo!...Much appreciated. I'll look for that book and continue researching.

 

[roberts81]

FYI, Westwater isn't a beginner trip--it has one class IV that often flips rafts (I've seen at least one flip more often than not on trips I've done), and it is in a boxed-in canyon, where rescue or escape can be challenging. And you'll need a permit (typically reserved 2 months in advance). Its a great trip once you've done several runs and are up to it, or if you have a group that's willing to watch your back and help you if you flip or wrap, but not to be taken lightly.

 

[Cypress]

Thanks Roberts.. i'll definitely take that into consideration. I'm leaning towards Pumphouse to State Bridge for our first trip. Seems to be a good float to get comfortable with our new boat.

 

[climber-420]

It will be a fun, mellow trip, and the fishing is fantastic right now. I was up last weekend, and this past weekend. Needles Eye is easy, Yarmony is easy as well, but you may want to scout it out if you haven't been thru that area before. After Yarmony, it is just cruiser.

 

[denali1322]

Similar to Roberts81 warning on Westwater, I would stay away from Browns Canyon if you classify yourself as beginner/intermediate. At these flows it is a bit more forgiving, but still several moves to make in Pinball and Widowmaker that could pin your boat if you don't take the right lines. Browns is an intermediate level run. At this level, Upper C has a couple rapids, but more forgiving than Browns. Ruby Horsethief has no signficiant rapids at all.

Upper C and Ruby HT are you best options and I would do Ruby HT if you are going without other boats. Both have details on respective websites (might both be BLM, cannot recall) that tell you what you need to have and give you a sense of the water. Also agree that you should pick up Colorado Rivers & Creeks. I wasn't aware that was hard to find now, but it has tons of good info.

 

[Haggardphunk]

Last time i was in Confluence Kayaks in Denver they had a copy of it. It's a great book and worth every penny. I plan trips while i poop.

 

[Cypress]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback guys! We actually did Brown's last weekend in a mini me! We R4'd it, but I was not steering the boat... so much fun! I think we'll do Upper C next weekend and hopefully we can get out to Ruby/HT by the end of the season.

 

[Haggardphunk]

how do you like putting 4 in a mini-me? I have a mini max and I put 4 in there a few times and it makes it so much different to maneuver. So easy to run big lines with 2 strong men in it but as soon as we put my gf in the front it rides quite differently and takes a lot more work to move thru technical lines.

 

[Cypress]

We had 2 girls and 2 guys... I sat up front with my wife and opposite the guy in the back. It was a blast... with 4 people in such a small boat we had a lot of maneuverability and power.

How do you like your mini max? I just picked one up last weekend from Riverboat works. I put a fishing frame on it, but were planning on doing some R4 stuff on it as well. You think you could R6 on a mini max?



Browns Canyon on mini me

 

[daairguy]

Doesnt Ruby HT require a permit?

 

[JessaQ]

Ruby-horse thief requires camping reservations, but not a permit for the water.

 

[Randaddy]

What's a "wife unit?"

6 is too many for a mini max. 4 tops.

 

[Osseous]

Consider putting in at State Bridge and floating to catamount take out. You'll have better camping and fewer boats- bring ear plugs for the trains on upper C- you've been warned......

Sent from my SM-N900V using Mountain Buzz mobile app

 

[Cypress]

"Wife Unit" is just simply my wife. lol

I've camped at State Bridge many times... I actually like the noise the of trains for sleeping if you can believe that. I'll definitely consider State Bridge to Catamount... I hadn't even thought about it. Thanks!