paddling with a camera

My fastest access from Fort Collins to the South Platte River is at higway 60, a few miles east of Milliken - 29 miles and about 40 minutes of driving. Riverside Park at Evans is a few miles further and, often, a little bit longer drive since I have to go through Greeley.

So, launching at Milliken is a good idea for a short afternoon paddling. The river is usually more shallow than between Evans and Kersey with more fallen trees. You have 0.8 mile upstream to the Union Ditch dam and 2.5 miles down river to the Godfrey Ditch Dam. It is more than enough for a good paddling workout without portaging.

The first picture below was shot from a kayak with a waterproof Pentax Optio W30 camera, and all remaining ones with Canon EOS D40 from land during a short paddling on Friday evening. Days are getting longer!

Launching spot at highway 60 east of Milliken (SW side of the bridge, off road parking). It is not a beach or gravel bar, but it is not so bad as it may look. It is easier for canoes and shorter boats, but I launch my 21' Thunderbolt kayak there.

Union ditch and dam about 0.5 miles upstream of highway 60. There is a short portage on left.

The river above the Union Ditch dam.

Geese flying

Related posts:

• Winter Paddling, Training and Racing on the South Platte River in Northern Colorado
• Photographing Geese Flying over the South Platte River Valley
• Anybody Remembers C1 Canoe Racing on the South Platte River near Greeley?
• Driftwood on South Platte River - Paddling between Platteville and Milliken
• Horizontal or Vertical? Two Pictures of the South Platte River at Wildcat Mound
• Kayaking on Saint Vrain and South Platte Rivers near Platteville