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Upper C weekend insanity

4039 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  treemanji
I was going to head to Pumphouse for some mid-week runs, but am now rain delayed, so was thinking maybe Thursday. I have not done Pumphouse, et al, on the weekend in many, many moons. How crowded is the river, will a 14' raft fit thru Eye when it is packed with IKs, and how is camping at Radium and Pumphouse -I am far too old for Rancho or State Bridge.
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I was going to head to Pumphouse for some mid-week runs, but am now rain delayed, so was thinking maybe Thursday. I have not done Pumphouse, et al, on the weekend in many, many moons. How crowded is the river, will a 14' raft fit thru Eye when it is packed with IKs, and how is camping at Radium and Pumphouse -I am far too old for Rancho or State Bridge.

Floated Pumphouse to Rancho Fri and Saturday, camped at Pumphouse. Fri river was busy but OK, Sat much busier. If you get to Pumphouse Thurs a.m. I bet you have a pick of a number of camp spots, maybe not the primo new ones down by the river. I don't think a 14' loaded with IK's will be much of a problem.
Ran Pumphouse to Rancho on Saturday, and down by the Radium Hot Springs/ Jump rock area, I counted over 15 rafts, not including IK's, coming thru and hanging out in that one section. I have a 14' and Needles Eye was fine. Water level is coming down quickly. We camped up off road past where the 4x4 road is for Radium Hot Springs. There are a few really great spots if you leave your trailer down a ways by the road, and have a decent 4x4 to get up the hill.
I have done Pumphouse in a 14 footer down to as low as 800 cfs without any problem. As for the crowds, it's the Upper C. Get on the river early and row like hell to your desired camping spot... LOL
i live at rancho and work pumphouse every day.
the flows are fine. but weekends have been a shitshow all year. super packed at all 3 launches. lots of boats everywhere with little to no thought of ramp etiquette.
and you'll be truly lucky to find a campspot on the river. we stop for lunch around noon and there's already campers at virtually every imaginable campspot.
i've had to get real creative on finding lunchspots for my custies!!
thursday should be ok. fri/sat/sun you might wanna re-think.
good luck!!
These are some of the many issues we would like to tackle. We are uniting the private boaters of the Upper Colorado. Please pm us with any thoughts to remedy the problems you see.

https://www.facebook.com/UpperCoPBA
Welcome to Colorado

Almost ANYWHERE you go in this state is a shit show on weekends, no matter what outdoor activity you're doing is a crowded hord... welcome to Colorado.

Upper Co PBA, this is on your personal info page.
Personal Info / Bio
"To ensure the ability for all to obtain an opportunity to experience a float trip on the Upper Colo.

This is already the case, one nice thing about the Upper C is you can go get on it whenever you want spur of the moment, not sure where you're headed with "tackling these issues" other than more regulation.
Hello,

To answer your inquiries, I would like to first say, thank you for commenting on the mission statement. The one posted was actually a first draft and we failed to change it on this particular forum. Our current mission statement reads, "Engaging users of the Upper Colorado River and its tributaries by pursuing greater recreational access, environmental advocacy and community stewardship."

As far as your comment regarding increased regulation, we do not advocate for additional monitering/policing of any area. It is our goal to represent the voice of the private boaters on the Upper Colorado in order to best address the issues that affect this particular demographic. In doing so, we would like to work cooperatively with various stakeholders to find feasible solutions. We agree with you that overuse remains at the very top of that list.
Thanks for your time and interest in the matter. Please feel free to reach out with ideas/comments/concerns and we will address them to the best of our abilities!
Cheers!
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Run radium to state bridge, doable in a 16' and less crowded.
What's the likelihood of getting a campsite in the Radium or Pumphouse Campgrounds if I head up on Friday afternoon? We're going to avoid the on-river campsite landgrab and roll day trips with the kids, but I'm concerned there won't be any sites available by Friday morning. Taking a pop-up camper, so I can't four-by down some of the free camps in the area.

the chance is probably -zero- but I thought I'd ask the question anyway. I haven't camped at Pumphouse for years, and I haven't ever camped at Radium.
EDIT: Found the reservable Group sites at Radium and there happened to be one available. Woot!
Hello,

To answer your inquiries, I would like to first say, thank you for commenting on the mission statement. The one posted was actually a first draft and we failed to change it on this particular forum. Our current mission statement reads, "Engaging users of the Upper Colorado River and its tributaries by pursuing greater recreational access, environmental advocacy and community stewardship."

As far as your comment regarding increased regulation, we do not advocate for additional monitering/policing of any area. It is our goal to represent the voice of the private boaters on the Upper Colorado in order to best address the issues that affect this particular demographic. In doing so, we would like to work cooperatively with various stakeholders to find feasible solutions. We agree with you that overuse remains at the very top of that list.
Thanks for your time and interest in the matter. Please feel free to reach out with ideas/comments/concerns and we will address them to the best of our abilities!
Cheers!
Hmm...after reading your posts the only logical conclusion I can see would be more regulation ie. permits. I'll check the Facebook page but if that's what you're advocating go pound sand..
Radium/Pumphouse campsites

What's the likelihood of getting a campsite in the Radium or Pumphouse Campgrounds if I head up on Friday afternoon? We're going to avoid the on-river campsite landgrab and roll day trips with the kids, but I'm concerned there won't be any sites available by Friday morning. Taking a pop-up camper, so I can't four-by down some of the free camps in the area.

the chance is probably -zero- but I thought I'd ask the question anyway. I haven't camped at Pumphouse for years, and I haven't ever camped at Radium.
EDIT: Found the reservable Group sites at Radium and there happened to be one available. Woot!
At both Radium and Pumphouse there are 2 campsites available for reservations. It is $30 a night, but if you're willing to throw down the loot, you're guaranteed a spot. Otherwise, the BLM said that despite the weekend traffic, sites have been fairly easy to come by. They are however, as you know, first come, first serve. If you want additional information or want to make a reservation, contact the BLM Kremmling Field Office. (970) 724-3066

Best of Luck!

UCPBA
At both Radium and Pumphouse there are 2 campsites available for reservations. It is $30 a night, but if you're willing to throw down the loot, you're guaranteed a spot. Otherwise, the BLM said that despite the weekend traffic, sites have been fairly easy to come by. They are however, as you know, first come, first serve. If you want additional information or want to make a reservation, contact the BLM Kremmling Field Office. (970) 724-3066

Best of Luck!

UCPBA
Way to duck the real question Upper Co PBA you should run for an office maybe even one more legit than some wannabe PBA.

Mr. C you're back and I along with many others agree with you on this, permits on the Upper C would suck.

El Flaco I think You'll get a campsite at either Radium or Pumphouse just fine this weekend. Unless there is an event going on the sites don't fill too fast if at all right now.
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