Sat - January 12, 2008

Pentax Optio W30, Thunderbolt and 3 Winter Hours on the South Platte River



waterproof digital paddling camera
South Platte River 14:00. I am launching my Thunderbolt kayak under the bridge at Kersey and starting to paddle upstream. Air temperature: a few degrees above freezing. Partially cloudy. River flow: 480 cfs. Snow on the ground and a little bit of ice along shores.

There were some spectacular icicles a year ago on this shore. I have a tendency to shoot pictures at the same spots.

South Platte River Passing old cars above Kersey. It is the same "parking lot" where in October 2007 I had a close meeting and a photo session with a young eagle.

The river has developed some new channels during last year.

South Platte River 1 minute stop at the mouth of Lone Tree Creek. This time, the water level is too low to go any further. Perhaps, 50 geese were sitting there just a few seconds ago. No hunters.

You wouldn't notice this creek when paddling downstream. Paddling upstream reveals many river secrets.

South Platte River Working hard upstream. Speed between 2 and 3 mph. 1 hour to confluence with the Cache la Poudre River. As expected there were some goose hunters there just packing their decoys.

Mitani-Tokuyasu State Wilderness Area next to the Poudre used be my favorite spot for kayak launching. However, nowadays, this area is open only during hunting season and a parking space is limited to 4 cars. Also, all trees on this shore died for some reason during last couple of years.

South Platte River I believe that the South Platte is getting somewhat faster with more shallow spots above the confluence with the Poudre.

Plumb Ditch Dam - the target of my upstream workout today. Two hours, almost 5 miles.

I heard hunters somewhere near the dam, so I turned around and landed on a gravel bar a little bit further downstream.

10 minute stop. A cup of hot tea. And, easy paddling down the river back to Kersey.

South Platte River Sunset. Beautiful light, but is getting cold. Brrrr!

My speed down river varies between 6 and 8 mph. Of course, I am tired after upstream workout, however, I am hitting shallows more than when going slowly upstream.

South Platte River Eagle tree. There were 6 bald eagles sitting on that tree. I saw many more eagles along the river.

South Platte River 16:50. A few minutes after sunset. I can hear the Kersey bridge.

There is always a heavy and fast traffic on this road even on weekends. So, be careful during your launching operations.

9.7 miles paddled during this trip according to my GPS.

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