Gunnison River

Late Summer Day in the Gorge Pt. 2

August 29, 2017 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

Sunrise from Camp

We awoke around 0830 to this view from our kitchen. No one was on the river yet and we packed up and began the second half of our journey. The lower part of the canyon has significantly more technical water and rapids to navigate. At late summer flows it hardly resembles the rapids during higher water but nonetheless it can be somewhat demanding on the oarsman to make a few moves throughout the day.

We did actually do some fishing on this trip, and hoppers were on the menu, big ones. We threw the biggest stuff we had, single dry, right on the bank and had a few great takes. We didn’t break any records, (well maybe just a record for most 7″ fish in a day) but we caught a few average ones as well.

Hopper

More Hopper

The first section that most stop to give notice to is Boulder Garden, which has significantly changed over the years and in my opinion is much easier now. Even so, its worth mentioning because the campsite there is nice, and for me it marks the start of the lower part of the canyon.

Just Upstream of Boulder Garden

Boulder Garden

After this point you are met with a quick succession of rapids that demand in the very least some attention to your surroundings. Cable and Squeeze both require the oarsman to slide through some narrow slots, both on river right (as of this writing at 1000CFS).

Interspersed between these features are vertical walls of basement rocks that are approximately 1.7 billion years old. While the Geology of the area is fascinating, archeology sites along the Gunnison Gorge have yielded discoveries of petroglyphs, baskets, arrowheads, and tools, some of which are up to 14,000 years old. Point being, don’t forget to look up, you are peering back in time like you can only do in a few places on the planet.

Old Rocks

As you come to the Grand Finale rapid the canyon closes down to its tightest corridor yet, the calm waters signaling that you have made it out in on piece.

Dad Bod

The last few miles are a prototypical trout stream accentuated by endless runs and riffles before we pulled out. Fishing through here was excellent even as we began to pass those along the bank that had hiked up several miles to fish the mouth of the canyon.

Last Few Miles

All the information I have gathered and find useful for a trip can be found here.

Get some…

Late Summer Day in the Gorge

August 28, 2017 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

Welcome

It has been some years since I went down the Gunnison Gorge. In that time I feel as though I’ve matured (slightly) and am generally much more prepared to tackle logistical problems that places like the Gorge present. For instance, I’ve learned that the sun is hot on the Chukar Trail, and to leave early, so as to do your hike in the cool morning air, void of the relentless summer sun.

The Gear Going Down

My partner and I arrived at the trail, and despite the fact that we planned accordingly, we failed to take into account the cumbersome anatomy of your standard rowing frame. So while the first trip down was uneventful, the second trip proved to nearly break our spirits. In hindsight, those mules look like a heck of deal.

The Heavy Stuff

Campsites are a premium, and while you may have your pick if you’re early enough, experience is the only way to know which ones offer the best accommodations. This issue was of further importance to us as we had elected to use our hammocks once again. The Gunnison Gorge, while gorgeous isn’t exactly a thicket of pine trees, but rather a collection of small Juniper trees that can easily be mistaken for shrubbery. That being said, we picked the best option that we determined based on some Google Earth images. I get ahead of myself however, there was much that had to happen before we slept for the evening.

Someone Beat Us Down

The Put In

In an effort to curb the weight on our backs we only brought 2 beers and enough ice for cold cocktails at camp. After that hike that beer tasted so good.

Cold Smoke

Just Some Fishin’

We meandered through the upper canyon, this section is mellow in comparison to the lower half and allows for a more relaxing day of cocktails sight seeing. While the entire run is only 14 miles it is easily broken into a 2 or 3 day jaunt. Just due to the fact you have to carry your equipment down the mountain means you are investing almost half a day worth of effort to get started. Point being, don’t do it as a day trip as there is so much to see and do on the relatively short stretch down there.

Camp was pitched in the early evening, and our selection turned out to be fortuitous. Mature Juniper trees offered several hanging options, and a makeshift bench served as our table to prepare our freeze dried food selection.

Kitchen

Hammocks

Remember how we didn’t bring beer in order to save weight? Instead we put some ice in a Hydroflask to make some bourbon and cokes that evening. Best idea ever. Nothing like a cold drink after a long day in the woods.

Cocktail Hour

Sunset at Camp

The Maiden Voyage(s)

July 21, 2015 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

You can argue length, tube size, rocker, and obviously brand, but for me the choice was easy. An Aire 130R fit the bill for what we needed in a boat.

130R

Her maiden voyages included the Eagle, Colorado, Gunnison, and the Arkansas. While rain haunted us most evenings, only the Colorado was threatening but clear as dusk approached.

Evening on the Colorado

The Eagle’s evening storm was relentless. Pounding the crew with rain and hail with strong gusts of wind pushing us back to the put in. As the sun disappeared and the rain subsided, the clouds of mosquitos engulfed the swarms of baetis and caddis. Armed with headlamps to get us home, we stayed out late, getting every fish that would rise during the celebrated “magic hour” on the Eagle.

Lightning on the Eagle

Evening Dry Flies

After an early morning and a late night few restaurants are open past midnight, and even fewer in the mountains. One such restaurant exists in the town of Minturn boasting a famous Reuben sandwich. Legendary they told us it was, and it was indeed the best any of us had ever eaten. Magusto’s Reuben sandwich was simply fantastic.

Magustos Reuben

While most trips are judged by the amount of large fish put in front of a lens, the fact is every trip is full of less than desirable specimens. Those on board the red boat are humble enough to showcase some of our more modest accomplishments.

An Angler’s Average

One thing learned over time is that fishing from a boat is different than working a bank on foot. Our crew had neither the patience nor the desire to throw an indicator and instead opted for streamers and topwater. Few methods of fishing are as rewarding or exciting as throwing streamers along a bank from a casting platform. Repeatedly thrashing tandem streamers against a bank will eventually reward the angler with that perfectly aggressive predatory response.

Predatory Eater

A Shore Stalker

Boufaces

As night fell for the last time we gave homage to the Angling Gods for their generosity on our adventure. Until we meet again…

Tribute to the Gods