In The Shadow of Longs Peak
20 June 2021
This part provided by Karen Amundson, for Sunday’s paddle:
Since Dave, Andy, and Sue missed out on Sunday's action, let me tell you our story. 5 of us launched by 9:30 and paddled straight across and around a big island and then along 3 tiny islands. Beautiful, though more arid than Saturday's scenery. The water was like glass, so we headed straight up the middle of the lake toward Spinney, thinking we might see where the Platte came into Eleven Mile.
We were 3/4 of the way there when the wind started, we turned around and hustled back toward camp. This was the toughest water I have done in a sea kayak. Small white caps. Sometime we'd go straight with the waves, but other times we had to take a 45 or 60 degree angle to the right in order to keep away from shore and maintain a bearing to get us into our nice beach landing. I was exhausted for an hour or more afterward.
We left our camp, found a State Wildlife Area called Tomahawk between Hartsel and Fairplay and had our lunch on a nice log there, using the car to block the wind. It was up on a ridge looking down into a valley with the Platte winding around between 2 ridges. That was refreshing. I was so tired that I had to let Lin drive us the last hour into Denver.
Anne and Gary’s post trip wanderings and comments:
Wind:
On Saturday, the wind came up after 12.
On Sunday, the wind came up at 10:30.
Campsites:
We had site 258. There was not a lot of level spaces, enough for 2 small tents though. As it turned out, it was protected somewhat from the wind, though it helped to move the truck broadside so the sunshade was protected.
Sites 261 and 262 had a good boat launch between; 262 was somewhat level, 261 was not level. Neither had much protection from the wind.
Sites 822 and 819 in the Witchers Cove camp area seems like they would be a bit more protected from the wind. 815 and 814 there might work too.
The sites at Lazy Boy seemed like they might be a bit protected and you could carry your boat to the water.
In the Rocking Chair area, sites 610- 613 are flat and in somewhat of a swale so they may be protected from the wind. Also, they were flat and the shore is close enough that you can carry your boats to the water. And they are off by themselves so they would be a nice spot for a group. These would be my first choice for car camping next time.
Seems like coming back and camping in the backcountry sites would be a pleasant outing. Karen mentioned sites 914, 915, 916, 917 and 923 would be ideal for boat-In outing.
Eleven Mile Reservoir near Lake George, Colorado is a stunning place to paddle