Sun - May 29, 2005

Paddling the Poudre below Fort Collins in Sisson Nucleus


Cache la Poudre River above ELC Cache la Poudre River: logjam below ELC Arapaho Bend Natural Area


May 25, 2005, evening, Sisson Nucleus 100. kayak. I paddled the Poudre Loop . The water level was around ~350cfs, much higher than in my previous run . I completed the loop in 2:13h including time for shooting pictures and some scouting. I reached the confluence below ELC in 0:59h and managed to paddle upstream close to the dam. The flow was pretty high up to 900cfs in previous days. A fallen tree blocking the river was moved aside. I was happy to see it since paddling upstream through tree branches against strong current wasn't a pleasant experience. There were more good news. The river found a way around a big logjam in the right river leg below ELC. I would still recommend scouting that spot since the narrow channel may be blocked again and there are some nasty branches pointing towards a paddler. Anyway, it seems that it is possible to paddle the entire Poudre Loop with just one portage over the dam.

Cache la Poudre River below Archery Range, Fort Collins Cache la Poudre River
May 27, 2005. morning, Spencer X-treme canoe. I took my safari boat for some river training. The river was flowing more than 500cfs. I wasn't really comfortable paddling that 20' boat against turbulent current and waves. I had some problems in tight spots were bush or tree branches didn't allow me for a regular paddle stroke. When I started to paddle the X-treme on the Poudre 2 years ago I quickly figured out that I need a different boat for that river. It's why I bought Sisson Nucleus.

The narrow channel located somewhere between a railroad bridge and Archery Range is the most difficult one to climb upstream. You need to fight for every inch.
Cache la Poudre River Cache la Poudre River sunset over Front Range of Rocky Mountains
May 28, 2005, evening, Sisson Nucleus 100 kayak. Water level was low: ~180cfs and falling down. It was difficult to paddle upstream through some shallower spots. Nevertheless, I reached quiet water behind the ELC but it was too late to paddle the entire loop. On my way upstream I spent some time trimming a little bit a strainer tree above Archery Range, so it would be less hazardous at high water.


It's always nice to paddle across ponds in Arapaho Bend Natural Area at the end of my workout and watch a sunset over Front Range of Rocky Mountains. In the last picture I discovered Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds in the upper left corner. I didn't notice them when I was shooting.

All pictures above were shot with Pentax Optio WP. I've developed a new technique for shooting: I am pressing the camera bottom against my paddle held with extended arms. That way I can hold the camera still and and the same time I can balance my tippy kayak. Of course, the camera is on a leash all time.

Posted at 03:58 PM    


Mountain Wayfarer | fit2paddle - fitness paddling | paddling with a camera | virtual race Weblog Commenting and Trackback by HaloScan.com