Forks of the Gunny June 21-23

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Alan "Ace" Brown

Alan "Ace" Brown

Joined
Mar 15, 2008
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Location
Cedaredge, CO
Third annual trip to Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (GGNCA) June 21-23. Camping at Cottonwood Campground on the river bank. This CG has vault toilets, covered shelters, picnic tables and fire rings. Last fall sites were free but BLM may have a low fee by now. Several 4x4 trails close by ranging from easy/scenic to moderate/rocky and a good MTB trail too. Of course fishing in the river and float trips if river is cooperating. Come out and celebrate the first day of summer on the 21st and a full moon weekend. I will probably go out Thursday to claim a site big enough for a group. More details will be posted here soon. Photos from a previous trip.

Located about 15 miles east of Delta.

Ace

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LogHillCruzr said:
I'll be watching this. Sounds like fun.
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I did it last year when it was 102 degrees in Delta and spent most of the daylight hours alternating between cooling off in the river and drinking beer in the shade. Got in some fishing too but it was too hot for much else. Could be hot again in June but it cools off quick down in the canyon and snowmelt in the river helps to moderate temps some.
 
LogHillCruzr said:
102?! :confused: I could have stayed in TX and experienced that. A lot.
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How many snow-melt fed rivers have you got in Texas and a trout stream at that? There IS a reason you left Texas. ;-)
 
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Alan "Ace" Brown said:
How many snow-melt fed rivers have you got in Texas and a trout stream at that? There IS a reason you left Texas. ;-)
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Not snow fed.... But the Guadalupe has trout in it...

I'll keep an eye on this. Anytime fishing is involved, I'm interested.
 
By that time we could be at/near peak runoff and fishing would be pretty sketchy. But you'd sure be welcome to join us and give it a try.
 
Alan "Ace" Brown said:
By that time we could be at/near peak runoff and fishing would be pretty sketchy. But you'd sure be welcome to join us and give it a try.
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You obviously haven't seen this guy fish. He's like the Chuck Norris of fishermen. When paflytyer goes fishing, he doesn't need a fishing pole, he just stairs at the water till the fish jump into his boat out of shear panic. :flipoff2:
 
jonharis said:
You obviously haven't seen this guy fish. He's like the Chuck Norris of fishermen. When paflytyer goes fishing, he doesn't need a fishing pole, he just stairs at the water till the fish jump into his boat out of shear panic. :flipoff2:
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Ha! When I left Moab, I went to Montana......
Depending on runoff, I'm hoping to make it out there with you guys.

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paflytyer said:
Ha! When I left Moab, I went to Montana......
Depending on runoff, I'm hoping to make it out there with you guys.
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That fish is week. My 2 year olds do better than that with their bare hands. Chuck caught this last week with his, and he wasn't decked out in LL Bean's full catalogue worth of attire. ;)

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After 19 days on the road and all but one camping (*) I'm a little weary of all that but will be raring to go again by the 21st. Hope others will join me for a relaxing weekend of doing as little as possible, except maybe a little river running, wheeling, mountain biking, fishing, cooling off riverside (snowmelt means no swimming) and sitting in the shade drinking a few cool ones. Fun guaranteed!

There are nice shade pavilions on site but bringing your own shade would be advised. Tables, fire rings and one vault toilet in campground. Please bring firewood.

Ace

* predicted 40-50 mph winds sent us to a motel, but it never happened.
 
RustbombFJ40 said:
I wont be able to make this one. The wife and girls are going to be in Utah that weekend so Ill be babysitting the dogs.
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You can't bring them camping? Mine always goes as does several other members dogs.
 
Just saw something that described the moon rise on the 23rd as a "super moon", probably meaning its closer to earth than normal. Of course that means a special moonrise Friday and Saturday evenings too. A short drive from camp up to a ridge top should allow a pretty spectacular view. Take a cooler and camp chairs and enjoy life!

How about it, any takers?

Ace
 
Driving directions to camp. From Delta head east on Hwy 92 to near Austin. GGNCA signs at the first two turns.
0.0 miles go right on 2200 Rd
0.8 miles go left on H 75 Rd (gravel)
3.7 miles pass BLM parking lot
3.9 miles bear right on South River Rd. (four roads intersect here)
4.5 miles view of river, big descent
7.8 miles arrive at Cottonwood CG
Road log mileage is cumulative; camp is 7.8 miles from Hwy 92. Photo is map showing roads to camp at circled 13.
N 38 46.764 W 107 51.197

Weather is supposed to be on the warm side this weekend. Afternoons are usually windy in the gorge. Bring shade tarps but plan to anchor them well. Soil is loose gravel and cobbles. Standard tent stakes offer poor holding. Best are the big heavy Snow Peak forged steel stakes sometimes found at Cabelas.

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Hope you can make it. Hope anybody can make it. Gets kind of old siting around the campfire just talking to my dog. We both enjoy it but the conversation is sorta one sided. Speaking of that I recently finished a book called "The Art of Racing in the Rain" that I highly recommend to anyone, but especially dog lovers.

I injured my back several days ago so will be taking it easy this weekend; no kayaking or mountain biking. Be glad to shuttle anyone who may wish to paddle the river. Flow looks about right now.

I just bought my resident fishing license for the huge sum of $1.00. Just one more perk of old age.

See you at the river!

Ace
 
I will monitor CB 34 and HAM 146.460. If anyone drives in just to go wheeling the most likely day will be on Sunday around 10 AM. Probably run an easy but very scenic trail overlooking the canyon (photo). Then a moderate trail that is a loop with some steep and loose sections and a few big rocks and ledges that will make you think your in Moab.

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