Gunnison Gorge June 22-24

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

The calendar was pretty blank this month so I'm throwing this out here to gauge interest. I'm thinking of camping on the banks of the Gunnison and doing a float trip down the river of about 10 miles. Probably get in some wheeling on the 4x4 trails that lead right out of camp for those inclined. Fishing too. Sure it will be hot down there but with a cool and clear river right next to camp we'd have natural AC, but do bring shade. We did a trip there last year but the river was at flood stage which made for a fast an exciting float trip but poor fishing and swimming. Please post up if interested. We'd need at least two to do our own shuttles. Boat rentals are close by too.

Ace

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

How to get there: go east from Delta about 7 miles on Hwy 92, right on 2200 rd for 0.8 mi, left on H75 rd then then stay on H75 past some small driveways, continue on H75 past BLM parking for about another 3 miles, bear right on South River Road (still H75) and continue along river side another 4 miles to Cottonwood Campground at 38° 46.763' N, 107° 51.197' W. Total mileage from Hwy 92 is about 8 miles. There are Gunnison Gorge National Recreation Area (GGNRA) signs at the first two turns.

The road in is a bit rough, steep and tight in a few places so I can't reccomend bigger RVs but I have towed my 17' trailer in there with no issues. However meeting another vehicle on this road could be a problem, especially after you have entered the gorge at around the 4 mile point.

Hoping to have some BCC campers show up!!! Or just come for a day. But this is primarily a river float trip and wheeling will take a back seat. The river is low and slow so it will be great for a leisurely and safe float trip. Good swimming/wading too and fishing hopefully.

Ace

 

[RyanR]

I am on call that weekend or I would be in. I like the idea of mixing some wheeling and floating sounds like a great time!

 

[jonharis]

I'm going to try to make it down at least for a night but wont know till next week if I can make it. Should be a great trip.

Just sent an email to the club.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Checked USGS water data for Guny at Delta and flow is about 750 cfs which is not as low as I would have expected but still a lot lower that when we ran it last year at around 9000 cfs. So I don't think one would want to tube it except maybe for a short stretch around camp. Water temp should be close to 70 degrees.

Ace

 

[jonharis]

Ace-
Any response via email. I'm thinking of coming down for a day but not sure if it should be Saturday or Sunday. I am cutting wood all day the other one.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Nothing yet but I am still hoping for some interest. Supposed to be quite hot this weekend and your gonna cut wood?? Better to be in a cool river. I really hope you can make it so we can work out a shuttle and either day will work. Last year Bill, Matt (a friend of his) and I took turns running a two mile section just below camp. On Monday I talked some campers into dropping my truck off at the takeout near Delta and ran about a 10 mile section. Do you have a suitable boat for mild white water? I have access to another inflatable kayak, paddle and the rest if you or anyone wants to give the river a try. Let me know your plans ASAP.

I plan to head to Cottonwood Friday morning and stay till sometime Monday.

Ace

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Well, I'll be heading out to the Cottonwood Campground in a few hours. Still in hopes of some BCC company there. Even if you don't own a river boat just bring a tube and a case of beer and relax in the river. See you on the Gunny!

Ace

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Small correction on route: just past the BLM parking/toilets, at the top of a hill there is a 3way intersection, take the middle fork South River Rd.

 

[jonharis]

Well, I'll be heading out to the Cottonwood Campground in a few hours. Still in hopes of some BCC company there. Even if you don't own a river boat just bring a tube and a case of beer and relax in the river. See you on the Gunny!

Ace

I'll see how Sunday goes but at this point it looks like I'll be up on the Mesa cutting wood through Sunday. Saturday is our planned cutting day and Sunday is our splitting/stacking day.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

It's too hot and too windy here but I have a fridge full of cold beer, so I'll survive.

Ace

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

Almost did not survive as my fridge really struggled to stay cool and so did I. It got to 105 degrees Sunday PM.

Only paddled the same short two miles as last year but the river was at a perfect flow rate; clear but fast enough to have some fun white water. Also caught a couple of nice rainbows.

I'd like to put this trip on the BCC calendar as an annual event, and this was already the 2nd. Will move it back some to try for a cooler weekend.

Ace

 

[jonharis]

I'd like to put this trip on the BCC calendar as an annual event, and this was already the 2nd. Will move it back some to try for a cooler weekend.

Ace

Sweet, let's make sure it get's on there when we do the draft calendar in Dec/Jan!! This is exactly what we are looking for is people to take on runs like this in areas that they can really show of their knowledge of.

I would have loved to make it but was sweating buckets at 10,000' in the 90 degree heat! Unheard of!

 

[riderjgs]

Did the full Divide Road tour Saturday and Sunday, all the way from Junction to Montrose. Cooler up on the Uncompahgre but the sign on the bank in Delta read 106 degrees when we "cruised" through Sunday afternoon. Maybe a/c ought to be the next addition to the 55 instead of overdrive and bucket seats.

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

I had 105 in camp Sunday but thought it was off until you confirmed 106 in Delta....whew!