Canoe Trip, June 23-25

This year we ran the Northern Colorado River. Our plan was to go from State Bridge to Dotsero, a 45 mile stretch with numerous Class II rapids and a few Class IIIs.

When we put in the river was running at about 1,200cfs, below average and in the range recommended in the information from several online sources (900-1,500). While the rapids were only Class I and II, there were many of them. This made the first day a challenge as we had to stop often to bail our canoes. We ended the day behind schedule just below Bond.

When things went smoothly we made very good time, about 4mph. Our plan assumed 3mph, so when we started out Saturday we knew we could get back on schedule. During the day we had continued swamping, but no major problems until we hit Rodeo Rapids. A short but violent Class III, we chose to portage. Unfortunately, we chose the wrong side of the river and spent three hours hauling our canoes and gear. We were all glad to get back on the river. We started looking for campsites, but this stretch of the river was narrow. We tried to spot Pinball Point Campground, but missed it bringing us to Pinball Rapids, a Class II+.

We spent about 30 minutes scouting Pinball and decided to run it. We sent David and Jack down first with Austin and Jay standing by with throw bags. The first boat made it through easily. Then, one by one, each boat ran Pinball. Two boats joined the "Black Rock Club" by going over a large black rock in the middle of the rapids, swamping the boats and making for an exciting ride to the bottom of Pinball.

After bailing the boats, we headed to the Jack Flats campground where we spent Saturday night. Everyone slept well. Our meals were great too, so everyone also ate well.

Sunday morning started out well. We were nearly back on schedule, just one hour behind, so we put in confident that we'd make Dotsero on schedule. We'd passed the two most challenging spots on the run, Rodeo and Pinball, so the remainder of the run we going to be just Class IIs. At this point, we'd run dozens of these rapids without major problems.

Within a mile of Jack Flats we came into a large calm area that made an abrupt right turn under two bridges. It was just another small rapid. Unfortunately, one boat got sideways and hung up on a pier of the second bridge, cutting off part of the path. Then, a second boat ran up on the first, narrowing the gap further. The last boat tried to pull over for a rescue, but ran out of maneuvering room and went into the pileup. Everyone was fine, just stuck in the middle of the river.

We assessed the situation and worked out a plan to get the boys safely to the shore. This went very smoothly with all of the boys easily getting off the boats into a large eddy, wading close to shore and then floating down stream 30 feet to the rescue team. The boats were another matter. The first had begun to fold around the pier, the second was being held to the bottom by the water and the third was capsized. Bernie and Jay were with the boats, safe, but unable to accomplish much.

Fortunately, there were some homes near the spot and the people came out to help. After about an hour the shore team devised a plan to pull the boats to shore. Rigging pulleys and throwing lines to the canoes, Bernie and Jay tied the canoes to the line and stood back. At this point Bernie and Jay decided the fewer people in the river the better, so Bernie went ashore using the same route as the boys.

Now is when the real damage begins for the canoes. It was unavoidable at this point, but it was not fun to watch as they pulled the first canoe out. The force of the water quickly crumpled it. The second canoe suffered the same fate. The third canoe was in a better spot, so we managed to unload it and roll it off of the rocks. Unfortunately, controlling a swamped canoe is not easy and within 100 feet the canoe ran up on another submerged rock. Slowly, it folded under the pressure of the water. In the end, the third canoe suffered the same fate as the first two.

Everyone arrived home safe and sound with a more deep appreciation and respect for the Northern Colorado River, but we did suffer significant equipment damage. In our members section we will be posting a more detailed description of the trip where we go into an analysis of the trip. In this document we identify changes to the planning and preparation process to avoid ending future trips in a similar fashion.