In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Friday 08 July 2022
It was an easy overnight out Hideout, though something keep kept banging the side of the tent. Perhaps an insect.
We were stirring and up by 5:45. Nice having a bathroom close by! We've gotten pretty efficient at packing gear, folding the tent, bringing stuff to the boat, loading it and setting off.
We were underway by 7:20 AM, heading away from Hideout, across the bay and east toward the dam. The air is still for starters but by 8 AM the wind had picked up, probably just over 5 MPH.
Gary and I had been thru this section in our May outing. First for possible campsites, just out of Hideout (to the east) there is a peninsula that holds the promise of flat spots. Further down lake, I had taken waypoints 2 sites. Gary agreed they had possibilities. Onward then.
The canyon is narrow here but not quite channel-like. The walls are steep and tree-covered but not at all like the canyons at Lake Powell. It does twist and tum. Further along, the tree covered hillsides turn to rock but are not bare of trees.
After an hour or so, we bypass my tum-around point. Just before that there is a huge rock right along the bank with a huge nest at the top. We are treated with an osprey flying from it and was soon joined by a second osprey. Both landed in the trees high up and to the right. Their call: a single shrill note, repeated.
We are in new territory for me. On the right is a cove that Gary goes to investigate. I paddle along slowly but soon stop, preferring that we stay together.
Up ahead, at the ridge top we can see the profile of the Red Canyon Visitors Center. Richard thinks the Goosenecks Campground should be along here, although the one map I have has it on the other side of the ridge. Richard does some investigating but to no avail.
We continue, around another bend. Somewhere in here is where Goosenecks Campground should be but even with binoculars, I cannot make out any possibilities. At the bottom of this bend I use the binoculars and see what I think is a camping possibility and holler ahead. Gary slows up. I look again & decide it's not favorable. Richard paddles over and checks it out, and reports it is doable but there is no sign of tent platforms.
We are about 3 KM from Gary's & Tim's turn-around, so we proceed up the last leg of this gooseneck curve. Across the lake, I see a cove that may have camping. It appears to be at the bottom of a bowl-shaped canyon though as we pass it, it seems like another lost cause. Though later while walking we have a better view, and it does have possibilities. Another one to check out next time.
From the map, our destination is at the bottom of a downward trending ridge and soon we round the corner. Such a nice surprise, as a grass covered bench comes into view. Gary finds a place to pull out of starts to investigate. Richard and I continue around to the eastern side of the bench where there is a sandy bank that invites landing. Gary is now investigating this area and gives a thumbs up. We get out look. It is a wonderful site, previously used, with trees, shade and flat spots for tents. And not far from the boats.
We pull our boats out and start unloading while Gary gets his boat and paddles around. Our arrival time is 11 AM so there is plenty of to get camp setup. First, we have a bite to eat, then unload and haul gear up. Then back for dip. Then more hauling and more lunch. Gary takes a walk. I go for another dip and then a walk. Then sit and do this write-up. At 4:45, we muster the energy to get the tent setup.
Birds: besides the osprey, there were gulls in our cove and a turkey vulture circling overhead.
Sunday 03 July 2022
No photos from today.
We met Richard at the Buckboard Access just a bit earlier than the appointed time of 8:30 AM. We drove to the bottom of the ramp, unloaded boats, sorted through gear, and packed boats. By 10 AM, Gary & Richard were ready to do the shuttle. The idea is to leave Gary's truck at the marina by the dam, and drive Richard's Subaru back. Seems like they were back about 12:30 and we were on the water at 1:10 PM.
Just before launching, we commented on the fact that the winds seemed brisk. But on other trips here we have prevailed thru winds, so we launched. Once out of the cove, the winds were very brisk, probably the most difficult we have paddled. Very challenging, but surprising that I did not feel threatened as on other trips. But I did pay close attention and only concentrated on where Gary and Richard were and on the next wave. We headed straight into the wind, which was coming from the south. I always find paddling into the wind easier than a tail-wind since I can see what is coming at me.
We paddled for close to 2 hours. and finally reached a bank with a small cove and decided it cater was time to get out. Between two small cliffs was a shoulder of tamarisk. Richard hiked up there and reported a flat spot, out of the wind, and with enough room for 2 tents. I had noted a spot on the north side of the cliffs & tried to paddle there to check it out as it seemed like the beach was not as steep. But I soon ran out of energy and returned.
We unloaded gear & hauled it up. Gary quickly set up the tent. Now, it was not just windy but also stormy as thick black clouds seemed to be building everywhere. I worked on hauling the remaining gear up. We got camp set-up, relaxed, then worked on supper.
At some point, Richard mentioned we are on an island, which surprised me, since my assumption was that we were on the east side of the lake. Later he pointed out where we were, which was on the east side of the lake. The map showed some roads coming down. I peeked off to the east, there were not any roads but I did not take a detailed survey. At some point, Gary took some GPS readings, and comparing to the map, we were indeed on an island,
tucked just inside the big bay of on the west side of the lake, south of Buckboard.
One interesting thing about this island is that it appeared to be a stopping off point for waterfowl. This evening when I made the aborted attempt to paddle north, one thing that drew me, was lots of bird calls. As we paddled away the next day, we headed north toward the bird calls. I could not take the time to study and identify them: another time perhaps! My conclusion is that this island is quite the find! I did take a walk in the evening and again in the morning and indeed it is an island though looking south and east it seems like there may have been sandbars that would have blocked out way. But, when we paddled the next day, it did not seem that the sandbars were big enough to block our way.
Oh, and fireworks! The whole reason to come here on over the 4th of July. Tonight is 3rd July and there was a sign at Buckboard announcing fireworks tonight. We heard them but did not stay up to see them.
Monday 04 July 2022
Another rough day. We were paddling away by 9:30 or so, starting out in calm water and wind. But by 11:00 AM, the wind came up and did not quit.
Again, the wind was out of the south and we headed into it. Another hard push. Our goal today was a cove north of the Anvil put-in where in the past we have watch fireworks. A few years back we paddled this section with Wes & Lori, putting in at Brinegar/Holmes Crossing Access after running the shuttle to the Lucerne Access and Marina, just south of the state line in Utah.
Since that day in 2019 would have been a later start, we would have had a lunch break on the east side and, at that time, I noted that the lunch spot would have made a nice camping spot.
We paddled into the wind. Finally, the cliff walls soften into a cove, and around the corner was a wide open half circle of a bay. we considered continuing, padding close to the shore, but the cove was well protected, with easy access to nice camp spots and out of the wind.
It was hardly noon but we to determined it would be prudent to stop. And, since the push yesterday, we were probably all tired.
There was discussion about what to in the morning, continue to the dam or head back to Buckboard? The decision was made to continue to Lucence the next day and then decide. For one, we were not that far from Anvil. And not too far past the gas pipeline, and before Lucerne, there was a good camping spot that could be our next day’s destination assuming the winds again came up before noon.
From Lucerne, we could hitch a ride back to Buckboard, get Richard’s car, shuttle to the marina by the dam, get the truck, then back to Lucerne, get boats & gear. End the trip.
We also decided to get up at 530 AM, which was Richard’s idea, and be paddling away by 7 AM to take advantage of the calm mornings, which would give us 3 to 4 hours to get to Lucerne assuming the wind cane up at 11:00.
In this cove we were entertained by a mother merganser with 8 or so babies.
Tuesday 05 July 2022
We did get up at 5:30 AM, broke camp, loaded the boats, and were on our way at 7 AM. Wind and water were calm, and our pace was about 3 miles per hour.
We paddled past our previous years camp, then Anvil Draw on the west side of the lake. Just before Anvil, to the north and on the west side on the lake, is another cove that might be interesting to explore.
It seemed like almost as soon as we were on the water we could see the gas-pipeline that spans the lake south of Anvil. Always an interesting site!
Moving through the narrows by the pipeline is always a mystery as the channel curves back on itself, seemingly more than once. But we made our way, pass underneath and onward. At this point, only 3 more miles to Lucerne. The next landmark is two uplifted cliffs on the west side. Behind these is another cove that might be fun to explore. Last time in 2020, when we came with Judd and David, we camped on the east side, right across from these cliffs. The cliffs were a nice sight in the morning sun and a nice landmark when returning to camp. Today the cove was quite a bit more out of the water but still would have been a good stopping place had the wind come up.
The calm conditions held, and we made our way to Lucerne, arriving at 11:45, after 3 ¾ hours of paddling.
I listened to the weather radio, but again, I could only get a forecast for Rock Springs and for Utah, east of the Uinta’s but not for the southern section of Flaming Gorge. Conditions were still calm so we decided to paddle over to Antelope Flat and find a camp spot in the cove to the south where we stayed in 2019 with Wes and Lori. The reservoir is quite a bit lower so that spot is a hike from the water. Today we paddle to the back of the cove. There is a sandy spot, level, not too far from the water, that we pick to camp. It is in the open, with no protection from sun or wind, but there is a row of trees growing along the high-water line that we use for our kitchen. After a 10-minute pause, we work to bring up camping gear and setup the tent. Then I work at organizing my gear, getting ready for morning as much as I can, and store food in the hatches in the boat. Then back up to the tent, grab my writing stuff and head up to the shade.
There is an antelope that walks thru our camp. And an osprey overhead.
Daily Mileage km & mile, using topo map
Sunday: Started: 1:10 PM
Stopped: 3:00 PM
Distance: 5.5 KM, 3.30 MI
Monday: Started: 9:30 AM
Stopped: 12:00 PM
Distance: 14.5 km, 8.7 MI
Tuesday: Started: 7:00 AM
Arrived Lucerne: 10:45 AM
Left Lucerne: 11:30 AM
Stopped: 12:30 PM
Distance: 24.5 KM, 14.7 MI
Wednesday: Rest Day
Thursday: Started: 7:10 AM
Stopped: 10:35 AM
Distance: 13 KM
Friday: Distance: 8.5 MI
Saturday: Distance: 9 KM, 6 MI
When I get home, I need to recheck these distances using dividers.
Thursday 07 July 2022
We were up at 5:30 AM to clear skies. The water was moving but there was no apparent wind. We popped up, proceeded to break camp, load boats and were on our way by 7:10 AM.
In view at this camp is an uplifted cliff, all in red, really stunning in the morning and the late afternoon sun. A namesake for "Flaming Gorge".
This morning off we head out toward the red wall. I note what appears to be electrical wires going across the face of the rock. As I get closer, I see they span the lake, from west to east, starting at the shoulder of the cliff and do not go across the cliff face.
For all the paddles we've done at Flaming Gorge, this is the first where we try to connect the Wyoming and Utah sides to the dam in a multi-day thru trip.
First thing is to enjoy then keep an eye out for possible campsites between this point and the dam.
Our route today takes us thru horseshoe canyon, a nice route with high walls; pinon and other evergreens are plentiful but not profuse. It is a no-wake zone, so no fast speed boats. We heard hawks and canyon wrens toe heard.
Just before we enter the horseshoe, there is a spot on the east side that a camp could be setup. And, at the end of horseshoe, if you cross the lake to the west side, there is a cove where we have seen camps set up.
A side note here, there is a passage for the power boats to by-pass horseshoe at the current water level, it is not clear if it's open. Though it seems like we would have encountered more power boats in horseshoe if the bypass was not open.
Anyway, we stop briefly at the cove then continue toward Kingfisher Island. There is a boat camp here but no boats, so I expect we could get a site there if needed. But, our goal today is Hideout Boat Camp so we continue.
I had expected to see some camping before Kingfisher Island, but the hills are pretty steep down to the lake. There is a passage with Kingfisher Island on our west side and a long rock cliff to the east which curves and curves. At its end we see Hideout just across a bay. We arrive at 10:30 AM, so 3 ¼ hours of padding.
I wonder if there is room at the inn as we do not have reservations. We see site 7 is open which has 2 tent pads. This is the same site Karen and Tim shared on our May outing.
There is a sand bar in front of the campground at the water's edge and I wonder if we could have camped there. There is another bench just to the east of Hideout that also looks like a camping possibility.
It is a treat to have a bathroom and running water. We fill all the empty water bottle and so do not have to pump water again for the remainder of this trip.
We have 16 miles to the dam and decide to break it into 2 days instead of 1 big push. I like this idea since our trip thru the canyon can be more leisurely and Saturday we would be taking out at a reasonable time and getting us home at a reasonable time.
Today, conditions have been great: warm and sunny, a mild breeze and calm waters both in horseshoe canyon and the channel east of Kingfisher Island. The weather today is reminiscent of previous outings to Flaming Gorge.
Saturday 09 July 2022
We had a straightforward paddle out which took only a couple hours. Then unloading boats, packing the truck, taking care to put Richard’s stuff in last. We drove back to Buckboard, got his gear transferred. Then began the drive home, arriving around 8 PM.
A good trip!
Flaming Gorge
02 July 2022 thru 08 July 2022
Saturday 02 July 2022
Gary arrived at my place around 10 AM and we loaded boats and gear. Then, back to his place to pick up forgotten items. Then east to 75th, north to Fort Collins and Whole Foods to stock up on sushi for supper.
We were headed out of Fort Collins at 12:30, going north to Laramie & the boat inspection, then west on I-80 with a stop at Flying J west of Rawlins, then west again to Green River, arriving around 5pm and again getting gas.
At this point, we texted Richard. I turned off my cell phone and we headed south to Road 11. On the way, we crossed the bridge over Blacks Fork Arm, which today is a river. We have paddled under this bridge in the past when the reservoir was higher. This would not have happened today.
We pulled onto Road 11 around 5:45 PM. We did a bit of exploring but decided to camp at our tried-and-true spot, a pull-out in the road that overlooks the Lost Dog access. We set up chairs but almost immediately returned to the truck to take cover from a passing shower. In no time we were treated with a wonderful rainbow! So back out with chairs, a beer and picture taking. I take a few more pics then work on setting up the bivy for tonight.
We are perched on an overlook. To the north, the land drops away into Black’s Fork Arm, where the water gathers up into a lake. The water is significantly lower than when we first began doing 4th of July outings here about 7 years ago. The banks at Lost Dog are exposed and grown over with a carpet of grass. Closer to the water is a mix of pebbles & mud. Then water, grey and disturbed in the afternoon storm.
Wednesday 06 July 2022
Gary stuck his head out of the tent at 5:30 am to an overcast sky and wind. The original forecast for today was for weather that would be marginal for paddling and we quickly decide to take a rest day. I crawl back into my sleeping bag.
Regardless of the weather, I really needed a rest day, so this is good. I spent the day journaling, drawing, and taking photos.
The antelope came to visit again as did the osprey. There was another merganser & family. And a bird, with 3 tweets then a trill about the same length as the 3 tweets combined.
Stuff for next trip: Snow stakes to use with tent guy lines
New beer cooling method: wet cotton socks, add a can of beer, put in a bowl of water to keep the sock wet, put in the shade where there is a breeze and net bag to dunk beer in lake, but it will have to be in water deeper than 2 feet.
On another note, I am using my winter camping method of putting under the pad so they are not cold when I go to put them on in the morning. Both Monday and Tuesday morning was a bit chilly. I had thrown in my heavy long jon top, so wore that on Monday morning while getting ready. Tuesday morning was even colder. On Wednesday, I got out my teal hat and that along with the long john top really helped. Stashed both in the deck bag.