Native Colorado wildlife such as bighorn sheep, river otters, mule deer, eagles and wild chukar are often spotted. Posted on December 31, 2017 by Eric. This year we hope to get to the Snake River in the Tetons. The River Mutes the World: Canoeing the Gunnison, Colorado. The Trip. Trip was well paced, equipment was well maintained and the rental was reasonably priced, food was delicious, staff was skilled, entertaining and friendly, but the real highlight of the trip was the landscape and the scenery. For those that make this trip though it is a trip of a lifetime for most. Here, our tips to help you take the plunge. Photo Credit: Dave Gill Photography. Let your dogs run in their dog park. Pool drop rapids range from class II to class IV. No permits are necessary, and it’s usually fairly easy to find a spot. Click here to Call to Book Call to Book (970) 641-3131 Click here to Learn More Learn More Breadcrumb. The lower section of the Gunnison River is Class 1/II, making it an excellent beginner backpacking canoe trip. If you don’t have a bilge pump, cut the bottom off a gallon milk jug to create a handled bailer. Multi-Day River Trip Adventure – Kayak, SUP or Raft Gunnison River (D-E NCA) May 2, 2012 By hpatterson. Canoe camping is a great way to explore a place from a different perspective, and often provides great opportunities to be alone in nature. June. We found the water a little low for our liking, however it was early July and Colorado was experiencing a drought. The Gunny is a large river and most of it can be floated when the flows are high enough. During this Colorado canoe trip, you will be dwarfed by high walls of red sandstone and shale deposited during the age of the dinosaurs. Went with my Alma Mater on a 5 day canoe trip down the Gunnison River. The River Mutes the World: Canoeing the Gunnison, Colorado. Gunnison River, Colorado: Canoeing & Hiking - June 22-27 Summer Expedition “The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life,” and the Gunnison River is primed for the task. While paddling canoes is less physically demanding thank backpacking, the Gunnison River provides a unique backcountry camping experience. The community park associated with the water park includes a walking path, picnic area with grills. The WOLF Russian River Trip is a spectacular 33-mile canoe trip that begins in the pastoral wine country of Santa Rosa, CA. August. The landscape builds to a crescendo, starting with fruit orchards and rounded hills near Delta and eventually rising to sheer 800-foot sandstone canyon walls. Posted in Loving Nature Tagged Blue Heron, Canoeing, Colorado River permalink. Our first stop will be at Dinosaur Hill, complete with a one-mile interpretive walk about the geology and paleontology of the area. There are far too many to mention here. The lower section of this beautiful waterway is best experienced by canoe… Tuolumne River. For months after, long warm days only proceeded more of the same. A young passenger paddles during a canoe trip on the Gunnison River between Delta and Grand Junction. To take advantage of the discounted member price for this trip, become a member now: Join UTC Now. Early season flows are colder and faster, better suited for rafts and more advanced river runners. Half day. Colorado Appellate Attorney → Comments are closed. Let your dogs run in their dog park. Canoeing in Colorado on the Gunnison River will spark your sense of adventure with opportunities for hiking and exploring, floating in your lifejacket and camping along the river’s edge. Scenic River Tours offers Colorado whitewater rafting trips around Western Colorado on the Colorado, Taylor, Lake Fork, Rio Grande, and Gunnison River. A canoe trip along the Lower Gunnison River in Colorado is a magical escape. The Delta put-in is the easiest, with plenty of room to sort and organize gear. Roshambo for who has to carry the goods in their canoe. Cottonwood stands along the river provide nesting habitat for herons and songbirds, while deer, desert bighorn sheep, and large game can be seen along the banks. Cottonwood stands in the area hold Great Blue Heron rookeries and the area is an April breeding ground for Canada Geese. Autumn skies threaten in Utah (State #49/50) I spent May and early June trying to shake a raw Northeastern spring. The river flows through beautiful slick rock canyon country interspersed with small ranches and fruit orchards. The North Fork of the American River flows through here. Colorado canoeing on the Gunnison River will spark your sense of adventure with opportunities for hiking and exploring, floating in your lifejacket and camping along the river's edge. Current Information. One of Gunnison's newest recreational attractions is the Gunnison Whitewater Park on the Gunnison River, built for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting. Stay in a luxurious, historic bungalow at Canyon Creek Bed and Breakfast in Montrose. You’ll need to shuttle cars, or—better yet—hire someone to do it for you, since break-ins are a concern at the Whitewater parking lot. If rodeo moves are your style, try them out at the Gunnison Whitewater Park. July. Gunnison River Float Trips. Trip Overview. South Fork Eel River to Rio Dell. Dam-controlled flow ensures fairly predictable water levels into October. Jul 10, 2014 - We are about one week away from our Gunnison River Canoeing trip. The Best of COLORADO’S EXPEDITIONS Whitewater Rafting, Float Fishing, River Rescue Course, Watersport Rentals, Shuttles. This river section features majestic walls of red sandstone and offers some of the best canoeing in Colorado. Put in at Confluence Park in Delta. In late summer and early fall, the Lower Gunnison River between Delta and Whitewater flows at a lazy pace—perfect for a beginner canoe trip. The trail runs the whole length of the park and makes fishing the river easy. East fork of Carson River, Markleeville to Gardnerville, NV. We put in at Almont, just 10 miles north of Gunnison. If you need to rent a canoe, an outfitter can give you a good briefing. Use a small dry bag to keep handy what you’ll need on the river during the day, and secure your water with a carabiner for easy access. Colorado River. April. Trinity River, Lewiston to Pigeon Point. Delta and Grand Junction, CO, Driving Distance from Denver 378.0 CFS 01-12-2021 22:30 View River Forecast: Recommended Flow Minimum: 400.0 Average: 1000.0 Maximum: 2000.0: Typical Season Begins: April Ends: November: Recommended Use Kayaking: Yes Rafting: No Canoeing: No SUP: No Packrafting: No Fishing: No: Primary Gauge GUNNISON RIVER BELOW GUNNISON TUNNEL, CO: Length 16.0 Mile(s) Gradient FPM Station operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Water Science Center, as part of the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP).. Information on water releases from Crystal Reservoir (projected releases into the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon) is available from the Bureau of Reclamation.. Current shift adjusted rating table. Gunnison River . March. Notice the car mufflers used to catch and dump water Initially the river runs through large stands of cotton wood trees. 20 miles of class II+. Pack the camp chairs and table, tuck in a tablecloth, and pile up pots, pans, plates, paper towels, and plenty of other creature comforts. It’s mainly used by kayakers, but it can be fun to tube once the water levels are lower, which is usually later in the summer. You’ll also need a fire pan if you plan to make flames. Full Day. Enjoy spending time on the river with others in the LGBTQ community. Brush up on river safety before your trip and wear a PFD out on the water. Paddle and play next to beautiful red sandstone cliffs on Colorado’s Gunnison River. Gunnison River fishing is something you do not want to miss out on if you are in the area, a truly special river! Sign up: http://bit.ly/1fNnoXg Bring boats. Pop into a Bureau of Land Management visitor center in Montrose or Grand Junction to get the lowdown on campsites that aren’t on the map, where to look out for hazards on the river, and other tips. Gunnison River fishing is something you do not want to miss out on if you are in the area, a truly special river! The Taylor River is really two different streams: the challenging class III upper section and the mellow class II bottom section. Gunnison, Colorado is a guide to canoeing, kayaking and rafting the Gunnison River running from its headwaters in the San Juan National Forest of Hinsdale County to its confluence with the Colorado River at Grand Juction in Mesa County, with information and links to canoe and raft liveries and rentals, campgrounds, shuttle services and other businesses catering to paddlers and paddlesports. Groovers range from a simple seat on top of a five-gallon bucket to fancier commodes on folding set-ups. The pretty hamlet of Saratoga, Wyoming, known mostly for its hot springs, straddles the North Platte River, an ideal-for-canoeing stream located 3.5 hours from Denver. San Miguel River - CO. Private landowners don’t take kindly to you landing on their property, so steer clear. All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Parks & U.S. Forest Service. Live like a Denver local whenever, wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events. The river is laden with sediment and not a good source. The Gunnison Valley offers a wide variety of kayaking adventures from Class V creeking on the Upper East River and Oh-Be-Joyful Creek to Class II runs on the Gunnison and Taylor Rivers, and even some fun playboating at the Gunnison Whitewater Park. The Gunnison Gorge is a 14 mile long white water adventure filled with exciting rapids, gorgeous Precambrian rock formations and abundant wildlife. GRAND JUNCTION — In western Colorado, … Swimming or wading is not recommended. The exception is at the mouth of Dominguez Canyon, which has a cluster of four sites and is a popular place for a layover day. Lingering rains soon eclipsed … Autumn skies threaten in Utah (State #49/50) I spent May and early June trying to shake a raw Northeastern spring. The river's hydraulics can make self-rescue or rescue by others impossible. This river is rated Class I - II+. Celebrate the 4th in style while paddling this iconic river! 22 miles of class I - II. Gunnison River Whitewater Park is a fun, several hundred foot, section of whitewater that can get pretty serious at times. And keep in mind that the BLM prefers that you cook on a stove. The class II Gunnison River gently carves its way through Dominguez canyon creating a wilderness feeling. If you’re not into a solo journey, Centennial Canoe runs trips on the Gunnison. Gunnison River Float Trips From put-in to take-out, float trips are a high action adventure. This river is rated Class I - II+. Sunscreen and bug repellant are also key. And then there’s the groover, which is an endearing name for something that’s sort of gross: a portable toilet. The upper reaches of most rivers including the Gunny can begin to hold brook trout and/or cutthroat when the elevation gets high enough to keep cool water temps. The upper section of the river is largest above the Blue Mesa Reservoir which is … Getting Extremely Wet is Part of the Fun as You Raft the Gunnison River The river is rafted from May to September, filled with many Class II-III+ rapids. © 2021 RootsRated, Inc. All rights reserved. Getting Extremely Wet is Part of the Fun as You Raft the Gunnison River . Our first stop will be at Dinosaur Hill, complete with a one-mile interpretive walk about the geology and paleontology of the area. Twelve public camping areas dot the banks, clearly marked with blue-painted 4x4-inch posts. A major tributary of the Colorado River, the Gunnison is almost 80 miles in length.Its confluence, formed by the Taylor River and East River, are well known themselves as excellent trout streams.. Gunnison River Whitewater Park is a fun, several hundred foot, section of whitewater that can get pretty serious at times. The Gunnison River is a lovely, class II canoe and kayak. The highest water levels occur during May to early June, adding a little intensity to the narrow river passageways. Trips Inflatable Kayaking Scenic River Tours Inc. Rig your canoe as if you will flip. Gunnison is so into its river sports that it holds a yearly Gunnison River Festival, “an annual river event that embraces river and stream activities, education and the celebration of the Gunnison River Basin.” Catch this year’s festivities on June 22-23, 2012. For months after, long warm days only proceeded more of the same. Contact a Crested Butte kayak outfitter about a guided tour or lesson. Since canoes can carry quite a bit of gear, there's no need to skimp (or stress about what to bring). Use block ice rather than cubes, or freeze water in collapsible bladders to prevent ice from melting into your food. The Gunnison river holds all kinds of trout within it’s forks, but most of the fish caught will be rainbows and browns. Our trip was run in conjunction with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and our lecturer was awesome. Nearest Town You’ll take out at Bridgeport Road. 1500-3000 cfs: River is very "pushy" with extreme hydraulics. The TripThis relaxing trip incorporates two days of hiking and two days of canoeing. If you can hold on to the canoe, stay upriver of it to avoid getting wedged between it and a rock or other obstacle. During this Colorado canoe trip covering 31 miles, you will be dwarfed by high walls of red sandstone and shale deposited during the age of the dinosaurs. This section is nicknamed the "Baby Grand" because of the scenery that is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. The Calm Waters Before the Rushing Rapids Through Gunnison Gorge. Overview . The Gunnison Valley offers a wide variety of kayaking adventures from Class V creeking on the Upper East River and Oh-Be-Joyful Creek to Class II runs on the Gunnison and Taylor Rivers, and even some fun playboating at the Gunnison Whitewater Park. The Black Canyon (above Chukar Trail) section is committing and makes for a wild adventure for the expert kayaker. Do this for warmth and ambiance (provided there’s no fire ban), and pack out the ashes. Featuring mild Class I and II rapids, this leisurely portion of the Lower Gunnison can be done in almost any kind of boat, including rafts and inflatable kayaks. Canoeing in Colorado on the Gunnison River will spark your sense of adventure with opportunities for hiking and exploring, floating in your canoe and camping along the river’s edge. Full Day – Kayak or Raft – Gunnison River (Gunnison Gorge NCA) Enjoy a relaxing 7.5-mile paddle on the Class II waters of the Lower Gunnison River. Taylor, Colorado is a guide to canoeing, kayaking and rafting the Taylor River running from its headwaters in the Gunnison National Forest of Gunnison County to its confluence with the Gunnison River, with information and links to canoe and raft liveries and rentals, campgrounds, shuttle services and other businesses catering to paddlers and paddlesports. This is the third of three videos for the lower Gunnison River. Scenic River Tours offers Colorado whitewater rafting trips around Western Colorado on the Colorado, Taylor, Lake Fork, Rio Grande, and Gunnison River. If rodeo moves are your style, try them out at the Gunnison Whitewater Park. The Gunnison River, between the towns of Delta and Grand Junction, offers a very scenic and gentle float. 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