In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Glendo To Guernsey
Friday 11 August 2023 thru Sunday 13 August 2023
North Platte, Glendo to Guernsey and North Platte exploratory above Glendo.
The object of this trip is to paddle down the North Platte River, putting in below the Glendo Dam and taking out at the Wendover Railroad Siding, which is still a couple of miles above Guernsey Reservoir. In addition, we want to do a driving outing to scout the river above Glendo to see if it's possible to paddle the river into Glendo Reservoir.
Friday 11 August 2023
The drive out of town was uneventful. We were headed away from Gary’s around noon and were at the Glendo exit at 3:45. Traffic north along I-25 was not too bad, though there was the usual slowdown between CO 66 and Fort Collins. Once past Fort Collins, it was not long until we reached Cheyenne and the boat inspection station. From there, another 100 miles or so to the Glendo exit, and a stop again at the boat inspection station. Then into Glendo State Park and Two Moons Campground where we have site 78 reserved.
Site 78 turns out to be a very good site. Not far from the restroom but also not too close. Level and clear enough for 1 tent but 2 would be tight. Also, the gravel driveway looks to be only designed for one vehicle, another could fit but again it would be tight. The site is nicely shaded and treed so out of the sun and out of the wind.
We work at unpacking and setting up camp: tent, sleeping bags and pads; stove and kitchen gear; chairs.
By this time, Kathy and Bill have arrived as well as Jim Burrell. Roy and Sally were already there.
The regular put-in is unreachable since the road over a causeway has collapsed so Kathy, Bill, Roy, and Sally went to check out possibilities for tomorrow’s launch.
Jim joined us on our exploratory of the North Platte above Glendo to see if a launch into the river and take-out at the north end of Glendo Reservoir is possible.
North Platte Glendo to Guernsey
Saturday 12 August 2023
We were up early and on time for the 8 AM meeting time at Bill and Kathy’s campsite and the caravan down to the area below the dam near the powerplant. As mentioned, the road was closed on the near side of the causeway.
After some looking around, we decided on a spot where the distance from the road to the water was short and looked like it had been used by other groups. The water here is out of the main flow of the river, like a large cove or estuary, and there is a large area at the bottom suitable for launching boats.
With that decided, back to the cars we go, unload and ready the boats. Then the cars and drivers are off to the take-out at Wendover, close to an hour drive each way.
But then they return!
We move to finish packing, haul gear, and wheel the boats down and lift them over the guard rails to the water. Once my boat is down, I launch to make room for those behind me and take a few photos.
We are underway, paddle out of the estuary and into the main flow of the river which is running about 4,400 CFS, moving right along but easy enough to relax and enjoy the scenery. There is a riffle not too far beyond the start but its straight-forward to negotiate. Mostly, the water is pretty quiet but it does move right along.
We were on the river and paddling at noon, and now at 12:30 we see an island for lunch so pull over. I had been looking for the Alligator Alley site with the picnic table but did not see it and wonder if its still there. After lunch, we are back on the river. I am hardly to the end of the island and see the picnic table on the south side of the river. The Alligator Log has changed position and is almost upright. I did take a waypoint but deleted it in error.
This canyon is a combination of landscapes: fields, cottonwood coves, walls, and cliffs. We see eagles. We see mergansers. And cows.
We pass under a bridge holding a pipe. Beyond that, I remember an almost river-wide eddy where the river makes a sharp left turn but turns out there is no eddy.
Later, in another spot, at another sharp left turn, the water is swirly, and I wonder if this is the river-wide eddy.
Close to the entrance to Wendover Canyon, we also pass an enclave of big, new homes all with manicured lawns. It seems like the number of homes has increased since last time. Looking at google maps, I do not see such an area.
Now, the cliffs are creeping upward and bare white walls are exposed above our heads marking the start of Wendover Canyon. We pull over and put on helmets in anticipation of the upcoming class 2 rapids and haystacks.
I wanted to make this note as far as the rapid and haystacks are concerned. The rapid consists of two distinct parts, an upper and a lower, in the shape of an ‘S’. You can hear the water and you can see the waves of the upper section while approaching and still on flatwater. The upper section is best paddled toward the right side of the river, but once thru that, its best to move left of center. I don’t think the sea kayak would stay on-line through the haystacks as they seem pretty narrow, so I try to keep left of the haystacks and to the right of the eddyline. But generally, the eddy wins, and I am pulled in and always surprised at the strength of the upward current. Today is no different.
All pass thru the haystacks and we continue our downward paddle. Now, only a couple of miles to Wendover and the take-out, where we arrive at 4 PM.
As always, a great trip. We pull out and start unloading gear. Cars are already loading boats and soon we are too, then head back to camp at Glendo and a Potluck Dinner
One further note. Another future trip would be to paddle all the way to Guernsey Reservoir and take out there. There seems to be a river-wide line of rocks just past the Wendover take-out but I would not expect it to be too hard. Looking at the map, it seems like there is about 2 more miles of river before reaching Guernsey and then a paddle across the flat water of the upper bay. to scout, it seems like it would be most efficient to camp at Guernsey Reservoir, then drive up to the take-out at Wendover, put in there, and paddle to Guernsey.
North Platte Glendo to Guernsey
Saturday 12 August 2023
Potluck Dinner on Saturday evening, a nice way to top off the day
Sunday 13 August 2023
As promised, the wind comes up overnight. In the morning, we have a nice breakfast then pack up and head home as it’s too windy for our planned paddle from the Elkhorn Boat Ramp.
The object of this trip is to paddle down the North Platte River, putting in below the Glendo Dam and taking out at the Wendover Railroad Siding, which is still a couple of miles above Guernsey Reservoir.