In The Shadow of Longs Peak
South Platte River, Evans to Kuner
04 May 2019
South Platte River Paddle from Evans to Kuner
This is the first time I have done this trip since the flood of 2013. The Evan ballpark, always the put-in spot for this run, just reopened this year.
We left Longmont just after 8 AM and arrived at the ballpark in Evans just before the scheduled meeting time of 9 AM. Mike O’Brien was already there.
Gary and I began the task of unloading and hauling boats down to the river. It’s a much longer walk than previously. We should have brought the wheels but we manage. Once everything is out of the car, I drive it from the loading zone back to the main lot and then head back to the river to organize; then back to the car with leftover gear and shuttle.
Today we are paddling to the Kuner Bridge as the Kersey Bridge Road has been closed for construction. We don’t park by the bridge as we have in the past but instead at an old beet mill parking lot, south of the river and on the west side of the road. Then we head back to Evans.
Launching, we are 7 boats and 10 people. Almost immediately I am hung up on a sandbar but am able to crab-walk myself off and am soon headed down river.
I have always enjoyed this run and today is no different. I am drawn by the cottonwoods that line the banks, the birds, and its location and history as it cuts thru the plains. There are lots of birds: red-winged black birds, eagles, osprey, herons, ducks and geese.
There are 2 dam portages: The first is kind of odd and we get out at the top of the dam on the south side of the river (there is no water flowing over the dam here). Boats are handed down. I get back in and almost immediately get grounded but manage to paddle up toward the dam. I turn into a deeper channel, only to get stuck again. Now, I just sit and wait till everyone is ready then turn toward the bank and make my way down river.
We continue to move along. Not too far before the next portage there are folks setting up yurts. They are developing a private campground named “Platte River Forest”. Yurts are $125 per night, which seems kind of steep and I wonder who their clientele are…maybe duck and bird hunters in the fall?
The next portage requires a longer carry but it gets done. We have a nice lunch and then are underway (though I get hung up again).
We pass the confluence with the Poudre River and now head for the Kersey Bridge. Time check: 3 PM so we have been paddling 4 hours (less lunch) and have another 5 miles for approximately 2 more hours.
I sense everyone is getting tired and there is more of a push. Plus the wind comes up a few times and it looks like we might get stormed off the water but do not.
We arrive at the Kuner Bridge and take out on the north side (east side of bridge) which is the usual take out, though another long hump with the boats.
All is well. A good day’s paddle