In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Eleven Mile Reservoir
RMSKC trip to Eleven Mile Reservoir
12 August 2022 - 15 August 2022
This is our final outing for 2022 before my arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday 22 August 2022.
I experienced a great deal of anxiety leading up to last weekend’s outing on the Colorado River stemming from the fact that I have not done much river boating since 2018. This year, the only river has been the Niobrara. I had hoped for outings on the North Platte (Glendo to Guernsey and Saratoga to I-80), the South Platte (Evans to Kumer), the Yampa (Craig to xx mountain) as well as the town runs in both Longmont and Ft. Collins in the Approach. But these trips were not to be. In addition, for the Colorado, Gary drove which left me without a way to transport my boat, since most of the canoe guys do not have a way to transport a sea kayak. In the end, he let me take his truck and he got a shuttle. Next year, maybe I will drive as I would have liked to bring my Approach and do more difficult runs, like xx to state bridge (which I actually have done in my sea kayak) and the pumphouse.
I experienced a great deal of anxiety leading up this Eleven Mile outing as well. First and foremost, this was an exploratory outing. We had done an initial car camping and paddling outing in June 2021, but I did not paddle since the weekend before I had wrenched my knee getting out of the tent on our outing to Seminole Reservoir in Wyoming. Last June, we faced harsh weather. The paddling was OK, but on Saturday, later in the day, 2 people had their tents blow over and ended up aborting the trip. On Sunday, people got in and paddled up-lake, but a strong wind was up by 10 AM, sending everyone scurrying back to the put-in. Secondly, my injured knee was again becoming more painful and in addition, plantar fasciitis developed in my left heel, making walking a huge challenge. Thirdly, one participant wanted to bring a non-member (not allowed on RMSKC overnights) and this person did not own a boat and was not able to transport a loaner. These issues were resolved by having the person join the club; in addition, Gary and I hauled a boat for from Jim D. in Longmont. Fourth, a group of two wanted to arrive late due to work considerations and wanted to have a specific site. This was resolved by asking all participants for a site preference; as it turned out, no one else had a specific site in mind and all agreed that the late arriving group would have their site of choice.
I am still threatening that this is my LAST EVER trip that I co-ordinate for the Rocky Mountain Sea Kayak Club. We shall see… What, exactly, is the problem you might ask. One problem is that it takes an incredible amount of effort for me to me “in charge”; though quite honestly, I do not like being dictated to either; I do not really turn on a dime, so I guess I am not very flexible. And all this ‘herding of cats”! Why don’t people simply stay together? Human nature, I suppose…
Thursday
11 August 2022
Gary came over late Thursday afternoon to load boats and gear. Then up to Jim D’s, north of Mcintosh Lake, to pick up a loaner boat for one of the trip’s participants. Then back to my house for a simple supper of grilled kielbasa, zucchini, and potatoes, quite yummy given the little effort required. We do not stay up late as our plan is to have an early start tomorrow.
Friday
12 August 2022
I was up at 7:15, early for me these days; made coffee, did tasks, filled my cooler with ice. We were on our way by 8:15, making our way to Boulder, getting on CO 93 to Golden, then C-470 to the exit for US 285.
US 285 is a scenic drive that runs along the north fork of the South Platte River, and it has been a while since we’ve driven this way. There are several guest houses which I have always imagined are like the vacation spots in the Adirondacks where, in times past, the wealthy of NYC escaped from the hot of summer.
We head up and over Kenosha Pass and down into South Park. Just pass Fairplay, we turn onto CO 9, south to Harstel, east on US 24 for 12 miles, south on Park County Road 23, which has more potholes than any other road I know of.
So far, the day is bright and sunny. Before long, we are at Eleven Mile Reservoir State Park and head for the Coyote Ridge Fishing Access, arriving about noon. The wind has picked up just a bit, but less than 10 mph, and did not continue to increase. Tim and Marsha and Sue are already there. The parking lot is nearly full, but it is a Friday in the summer, and we did find a spot to park.
I had the 10 AM wind start of last year on my mind as we planned this year’s trip. Our idea is to paddle into and camp at the back-country campsites. We have a planned arrival time of noon with a goal of paddling away by 2 PM. Since the boat-in camp is not far and is in the southeast end of the lake which is more protected, my hope was that if the wind did come up, we could hug the shore and arrive safely. But, as it turned out, I did not need to worry.
We carry boats and gear down from the parking lot to the water’s edge. The Ikea bags again work wonders. I text Dick to inquire as to his where-abouts. We saw him at the information billboard at the entrance station but that was 45 minutes ago, and he has not yet arrived. Then, as I prepare to call Ryan, he shows up. And Dick is right behind him.
At this point, our paddling group has assembled: Sue, Dick, Marsha, Tim, Ryan, Gary, myself. Karen and Renee had work obligations and will be joining us later.
We are packed and ready and underway by 1:30 PM, 30 minutes ahead of schedule. There were no outfitting problems or weather problems or other problems. We launched and paddled away, heading down-lake. The weather was outstanding with calm (though not glassy) water.
We turn the corner, pass a cove at its outside edge, and paddle toward rock cliffs, rock outcroppings, and rock islands that we paddle amongst. Off to the right is, what I would assume, one of the ‘bird islands’ as it is covered with birds.
It is these rock outcroppings scattered along the south end of the lake that was the original draw to come and paddle here. They seem like archipelagos. There are made up of the same South Platte Rock that I climbed many years ago with the CMC at outcroppings near Pine Junction and at Turkey Rocks. The same rock is also at Vedawoo (Wyoming) where, besides climbing, my ex-husband and daughter and I hiked in, out, under and around the many rock formations. In later years, my daughter and I would camp and hike there. Once, she brought a friend along who nearly slipped off a rock!
We pass a couple more coves then enter yet another cove via a channel between even more islands and outcroppings and see a couple of picnic tables. The distance was just over ½ mile (.6 according to Marsha’s GPS) and we have been underway for about 30 minutes. Our sites were 914, 915, 917 and 923. Site 916 is the primo site but was already taken by the time we reserved campsites. 914 is on the left, down near the water, really close to where we take the boats out. I paddle back across the cove and get out. 915 is the site claimed by Karen and Renee. Up the hill is 917. I wander along further and further looking for site 923 but the last site I come across is 922. I turn back, wondering if I need to boat further along, but Sue has found 923. It is uphill from 914 and in the other direction.
The outhouse and bear boxes are uphill from 917, not too far from 915 but a haul along a rough trail from 914 and 923.
There is discussion on who gets what but I do not think there were any conflicts. Sue and Dick both like 914 and Dick was already setting up his tent and Sue found a tiny spot in 914 just below the trail. Gary likes 923 and claims it for us since it was the most remote and private, as well as protected, though my knee and plantar facilities call out in protest. Though over the course of the weekend, the walk becomes easier and easier. Ryan is good with 923. Tim and Marsha liked the looks of 917 and started hauling gear up.
I change out of my paddling booties to Chacos, much better for walking, and we start to haul stuff up. Again, the Ikea bags are handy. We find a flat spot for the tent and setup. Ryan has already set up his bivy.
We had already decided that happy hour would be at 914 today. Gary has hauled the kayak-cooler along, so he and I head down to 914 and enjoy a cold beer.
By this time, Karen and Renee have arrived. After some searching, they located site 915 and proceeded to setup. They pointed out that the trail from 914/923 was hazardous.
We cook supper at 914 then hump food and cooking equipment to the bear boxes, and back again.
After agreeing to a 9 AM start, we head back to the tent for the night. Overnight, it’s a bit too warm for sleeping.
Saturday
13 August 2022
Seems like we are up around 7:30 AM. I hump over to the outhouse then to the bear lockers for breakfast makings. Then make breakfast (coffee and granola). Get snack and lunch fixings and repack everything else back into the bear lockers, hump back to camp, get ready and head down to the boat. I am relieved that walking is done for a while as both my heel and knee are hollering out in protest.
We are paddling away by 9:30, heading down toward the dam, checking out all the rock formations along the way. From our cove, there continue to be a series of rock outcroppings jutting out into the water, and in many instances creating micro-coves. Finally, we enter a larger cove which is where the last of the campsites are and where the hiking trail loops around before meandering back to the trailhead. Then its more formations which again disappear as we enter another cove which is home to a private boat launch.
We continue around another point and are greeted by a line of buoys marking the closure area that precedes the dam.
We cross in front of the buoys. At this point we have been paddling for an hour and start looking for a place to stop. The land just beyond the buoys is closed to public access so we continue on. Within minutes, we are out of the closure area and find a nice beach with enough space for 9 kayaks where we pull out.
This is intended as a short snack and potty break. Even do, folks are none too happy when I get back into my boat and get ready to pull away. In past trips, I have found that getting back into one’s boat provides the needed urging that is it time to go. Away we go, again staying close to shore.
The lake widens. We round another corner, sneak into another cove, then another and then we are at Witcher’s Cove, which we circumnavigate around on the inside. Once back at the cove’s entrance, we gather up and discuss our next destination: We look across at an island and decide to go for the left-hand point. This is one of the ‘bird’ islands. As we circumnavigate its perimeter, a pelican takes off and I am astonished to see a pelican in flight in my camera screen!
It’s about this time I notice that one in our company has unzipped their life vest. Why, I wonder? We’ll it’s too hot!
We continue. Now, there is another set of outcroppings sticking out of the water. People are going in all directions. We all again meet up and head back to camp.
Along the way, there is yet another discussion as to bearing. We can clearly see our tents in our cove, yet there us insistence to follow the GPS and go up-lake. This turns out to be incorrect. As I have discovered, more than once, technology is merely one tool, to be used in conjunction with maps, compass, sight, and sound. And, as always, as you pull away from your put-in, look back!
We debark and start to prepare for happy hour, but a storm moves in. We hustle over to the bear boxes and get our food and cooking supplies. It rains. We cook, eat, and hump the stuff back and finally are done for the day. The beer is still cold! Woo-hoo!
Sunday
14 August 2022
Jay and Jane paddle up and join us today. Dick has decided to paddle out, due to a knee issue that developed yesterday. Karen and Renee and Ryan had already determined that they would need to break camp and paddle out on Sunday due to work obligations.
We were paddling away about 9:30 or so. We head up-lake. First stop is the put-in, where once he lands, Dick bids us adieu. We continue up-lake. There are more coves and more rock outcroppings. Finally, we are beyond the coves, beyond the rocks, and in the open area of the lake/reservoir.
Gary and Tim have disappeared. But, looking my binoculars I can see them way ahead. The rest of us gather up. Karen and Renee are at their appointed turn-around time. I had said at the start that I would only commit to two hours total paddling time, so I am ready to return as well. Marsha and Sue do not like the open water of this section and are ready to head back.
Jay and Jane continue, heading toward Gary and Tim. The rest of us turn around. We drop Karen and Renee at the put-in. Marsha, Sue, and I continue back to camp. I continue paddling, in and out around the islands, coves and outcroppings for another hour or so then return to our cove.
Sue and Marsha had expressed an interest in another after lunch paddle but were happy to hug land. I would have like to make paddling notes and draw but that never happened either. As it turned out, Jane had decided to not continue. Their truck was at the marina. But she made her way back to camp, so she, Sue and I had a nice visit.
The guys did not show up, so Jane paddled back to their truck. Gary returned with edema. I do not think he started out that way. Eventually Tim showed up.
Gary was not up to socializing so I humped over to get the food. We made dinner. And I humped it back again to the bear boxes. His edema did not look comfortable but he claimed he was not in pain.
I might mention the beer in the cooler was still cold!
I climbed into the tent too early and did not sleep well though it was cooler at night
Monday
15 August 2022
Sue was ready to paddle away and had travel plans for the next day so took off.
As it turned out, Gary and I were ready to take off, but it took Marsha and Tim a bit longer, which was nice since I got to sit in the kayak and look at birds. There was a Mountain Blue Bird, a delight, as I do not see these very often on the Front Range except for spring migrations.
We paddled away around 11 AM and arrived at the take-out in not too long of a time. We hauled out boats out of the water and began hauling our gear up. Tim and Marsha quickly loaded their boats and gear and were on their way. It started to rain, but our rain gear was not handy (since it was stowed with the boating gear), so we sat in the truck to wait it out. I could see there was a huge system, moving slowly and headed our way. After a while we braved the elements, loaded our boats and gear, and were on our way.
We stopped at Dorothy’s Tamales in Fairplay. I am addicted!
And arrived at my place around 6 PM. Luckily it was not raining so we quickly unloaded boats and gear. Setup the tent and tarp in the basement to dry.
A good trip and absolutely stunning place to paddle! I need to remember that it was GOOD and that I WAS unnecessarily frantic about this trip.
Illness Summary:
Out of 9 people, 4 had physical issues: Dick with his knee; Renee had an allergic reaction to something which cleared overnight; Gary developed edema, something that seems to occur off and on, though he thought the freeze-dried strawberries where the cause since they were new and different. And I and my ongoing knee issue (surgery schedule for 22 August 2022) and plantar fasciitis.
2023 Overview:
Another exploratory trip for next year, again in late July or August: Stay at the Rocking Chair car camping area on the west side of the lake. These are in a bit of swale so perhaps there might be some protection from the wind; we would need to bring a portable toilet system and privacy screen setup as there are no vault toilets close by; we would want a sunshade since there are no trees. Will be limited to 4 – 6 people. Paddle at Spinney Reservoir one day; Paddle the South Platte River from Spinney to Eleven Mile on day 2 or from Eleven Mile Reservoir into the South Platte if boating the river is not permitted (wildlife area pass or fishing or hunting license required); paddle the south end of the lake on day 3. Do a driving investigation of the area below the Eleven Mile dam on the way home.
Campsite summary:
Overall, all the sites were all marginal in terms of flat spots for 2 tents though they all had seemed to have adequate flat space for 1 tent. People should not plan to share a campsite unless they are prepared for sleeping spaces that are close together, without much privacy, and not perfectly level. In addition, bring lots of spare guy lines so a tent can be staked out using rocks as the soil is pretty rocky without places to drive in tent stakes.
923 (Anne, Gary, Ryan): A pretty site with trees, private and protected. A haul over a rough trail to the bathroom and bear boxes.
914 (Dick and Sue): Nice site since it is on the water; open, so no protection from wind. Tent spots are on hard ground so guy lines needed to stake out tents using rock. A haul over a rough trail to the bathroom and bear boxes.
915 (Karen and Renee), A pretty spot with trees so private and protected. At the bottom of a ravine so I would think about flash-flooding in a heavy rain. Short distance to the outhouse and bear boxes over an easier trail.
916: Not one that we had, but this seemed like the primo site, had trees, a short walk to both the water and the outhouse / bear boxes
917 (Tim and Marsha): Marsha’s tent was on a slope. Close to boats; close to outhouse & bear boxes on a good trail.
919 & 921: Both looked like nice sites; the tent was in a space above the picnic table. close to outhouse & bear boxes on a good trail. Not as close to boats.
920: Closer to the water. close to outhouse & bear boxes on a good trail. Not as close to boats. Occupants mentioned that it was hard to find a flat spot where you could pound tent stakes into.