In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Sunday 29 May 2022
The plan for Sunday is to start at the campground and take out at Sunnybrook which is above Rocky Ford, our take-out of 2011.
This section of river overall is a bit more difficult with several rifles, including a “dangerous rapid” at Fritz’s Island which is signed and points boaters to use the left channel.
There is another falls we stop at but again I stay in the boat and end up photographing the riffles, ripples, and reflections.
I think we were paddling by about 11 and getting out around 3. The back to camp for happy hour and leftovers,
Overnight it begins to thunder and rain. It’s windy, but the tent holds up well, as this river corridor is protected, not on an open plain.
Monday 30 May 2022
It’s very overcast on Monday morning. We have a leisurely breakfast then begin packing in earnest as another squall passes, using the sunshade as a shelter. And were driving away by 11 or so.
We detoured to Merritt Reservoir which is huge and less than an hour from Smith Falls.
The drive back is very windy. We past Lake McConaughy which is huge! The wind is strong enough to create swells and I am glad we are not paddling there.
We arrived home by 7 PM.
A good trip!
Now then, what do I really want to convey about this trip?
First, the flow of the river was not intimidating. It moved along but not so fast that ever felt swept away.
The flow at camp moved almost lazily but at the put-in the gradient may here been steeper, making it seem to flow faster.
Second, the landscape and environment along the river: Lush and pastoral. On the left mostly flat layers of land with lots of deciduous trees in full bloom. On the right, sandstone banks interrupted by landslides and waterfalls but also pine and fir; a landscape dominated by green, grey and earth tones. The top of the bench, trees meander along, forming a screen with birds overhead with lots of grass.
Niobrara River
27 May 2022 thru 30 May 2022
This is the 3rd part of our 3 part outing: The first was Flaming Gorge. The 2nd, which we cancelled, was to be Pathfinder (2 nights with 1 day of paddling) plus 1 night and day at Merritt Reservoir in Nebraska. The third is two day trips on the Niobrara River with camping at Smith Falls State Park for 3 nights.
Friday 27 May 2022
According to Google, it is a 6 hour drive from Denver to Valentine Nebraska. Our estimate was up to 8 hours. It took about 7 hours.
Gary was at my place around 9 am. We had not taken off the boats or unloaded some of the camping gear when we returned from Flaming Gorge, so loading was quick.
We were headed away from my place by 9:30, stopping for gas at Circle K on Sunset. Then, south on US 287 to CO 52, then east to US 76, then northeast to Ogallala to I-80, east an additional 50 miles to North Platte where we gassed up.
From there, we headed north on US 83. Its another 105 miles to Valentine, Nebraska so travel time will be about 2 hours. This route goes thru the Sandhills of Nebraska.
I am taken with how much grass there is and hardly no sagebrush. I keep thinking of words to describe how I feel: awestruck! Add to describe them: undulating forms, like waves of the sea but frozen in grass covered land. I might say the land is frozen but the grass is waving in the wind.
I think the land itself is ancient sand dunes which would explain the undulating forms.
And to describe how I feel about the scene: fascinated at how they undulate and roll away from me, as far as the eye can see, framed by the sky overhead, azure and speckled with puffs of cloud.
We continue on to Valentine. Sights we pass: The Dismal River and its Scenic Drive, Scenic Bypass, and Scenic Overlook; Stapleton and Thedford, both blimps on a map.
As we approach Valentine, the sky is inky black and ominous to the north and west.
Saturday 28 May 2022
We had two female tent neighbors. Seemed liked they were up at 4 AM, laughing and carrying on. I can't remember the last time I laughed like that!
I slept very well. Most likely helped by vitamin-I and a small G & T or both! Although I did not have any get and go until after 8 AM and a coffee.
We got gear together for today’s trip and headed for the put in at the Cornell Bridge. Next time, we next time, we will need to get a map of the river corridor. We took an initial wrong turn to the Berry Bridge but there was no canoes and no public put-in and no waterfall. Then, backtracked to the highway, west to the next sign for the Niobrara River Wildlife Preserve and here we are, at the public put-in ($1 fee and the envelope is complete with a wristband), just below a waterfall / diversion dam.
The shuttle folks left at 10:30, so I expect they will be back around 11 or so.
There are birds singing in the trees overhead, but I cannot pick any out.
The river is flowing along here, a bit faster than at camp. The surface is swirling and mottled where it reflects the sunlight and greenish - brownish in color. A couple of parties in tubes float by, unfettered, which always puts me at ease. Putting on and ferrying is always the best recourse against that initial trepidation.
Now, time for a quick sketch!
Once everyone is back from the shuttle, we load boats and launch. Once on the river, we group up just beyond the Cornell Bridge, then are on our way. The first stop, after five minutes, is Fort Falls. I did not get out to investigate, being happy just to sit in the boat.
We continue on. I am taken by how lush & pastoral it is along this valley. It's warm today, perhaps about 90 degrees, a nice change from our Flaming Gorge outing.
Down we go, past the Buffalo Bridge, the Berry Bridge & Berry Falls. We take a lunch break at the Berry Bridge where there is a public river access point. I am not sure there is a public parking area and put in.
It seems like the wind cane up not too long after we launched that we were headed into. Not much of a problem for the sea kayaks, but more so for the canoes and inflatables.
Miles today according to Bill was 12. The river mile mark at Smith Falls is 16.2 but I need to find out where mile 0 is. Again, a good reason to have a detailed map of the river corridor.
It was a good day. Gary & I tended to keep to the rear with Bill who was in a solo inflatable canoe (not an inflatable kayak).
This section of the river is easy. There are some shallow and sandbars to avoid but not much in the way of standing waves or riffles. There were a couple of middle-of-the-river-logs.
We approach another bridge then soon after the Smith Falls foot bridge. We pull out at the top of the campground. It's 4 or so. The shuttle is run then it's off to the pavilion for happy hour and pot luck. We made 2 pizzas which are well received. There are leftovers for breakfast.
Then off to bed. I sleep well.