Tuesday, November 08, 2011

CO Highwater Recap Part II: Wildcat canyon

Another memorable trip from this summer was Wildcat canyon. This is an impressive canyon of the South Platte River in the southern Front Range of Colorado. The run is usually referred to as Cheeseman, but I like to call it Wildcat since that’s on the map and it recalls a funny movie moment.

That we enjoy easy access to explore Wildcat canyon by kayak is due to American Whitewater. Thanks to persistence and lots of negotiation, AW brokered a deal allowing kayakers unfettered access to the ideal put-in for the run, so long as we call the local community landowners ahead of time. On this trip, we managed to briefly high center the shuttle rig under the load of 7 kayaks, kayakers and our gear as we were escorted through private property to one of the more scenic get-ins in Colorado.

Once on the water, the canyon does not waist too much time in beginning to drop. As with most of the State in July, Wildcat was running at high flow. We had close to 500 cfs, which turned out to be the high side of good for some of the rapids. The ample flow also had rearranged some timber, leaving some rapids unnrunable. The classic “slap yo moma” was out due to a giant tree blocking the exit to the falls. Next time…

Here are a few photos recounting the trip, and a video from the day.

Oliver paying his at Club Dues:


Tom following suit:


The waterfall entrance to Punji Stick was out of play with wood issues:


But half the crew earned the bottom of the rapid:


No denying that the canyon is an incredible place to spend the day. Maybe I will go back to fish.


A ‘tweener rapid that dished out some treats.


Kyle doing some downriver freestyle:


Jason enjoying the smooth granite and good flow:


In the end, we all got some good exercise that day. The choice to portage on this run comes easy when you see the sieves and undercuts that wait for offline paddlers. There aren’t too many places in Colorado with Cali-style granite boulder gardens though, so a trip to Wildcat is well worth it for qualified creekers (as soon as someone flosses the logs out…).

Boat waiting for a ride:


Gearing up to earn it:


The most memorable aspect of the run, for many, is the hike out. Hiking out in the heat of July was a bear, and one of our team experienced significant dehydration. The sight of your shuttle vehicle at the end of this day is a great relief!

5 comments:

oakleyses said...

instyler ionic styler, canada goose outlet, beats headphones, canada goose outlet, abercrombie and fitch, p90x workout, vans outlet, birkin bag, mac cosmetics, reebok shoes, wedding dresses, ugg outlet, soccer jerseys, soccer shoes, chi flat iron, longchamp, insanity workout, jimmy choo shoes, babyliss pro, roshe run, valentino shoes, nike huarache, nfl jerseys, north face jackets, herve leger, giuseppe zanotti, mont blanc pens, new balance outlet, north face outlet, celine handbags, canada goose outlet, hollister, rolex watches, mcm handbags, ugg soldes, ugg boots, marc jacobs outlet, uggs outlet, nike trainers, bottega veneta, canada goose, asics shoes, ugg, lululemon outlet, ferragamo shoes, ghd, uggs on sale

oakleyses said...

canada goose uk, coach outlet, hollister, swarovski jewelry, canada goose, canada goose pas cher, links of london uk, pandora charms, montre femme, karen millen, converse, moncler, moncler, moncler outlet, louis vuitton canada, uggs canada, ray ban, moncler, vans, louboutin, hollister canada, swarovski uk, timberland shoes, toms outlet, thomas sabo uk, juicy couture outlet, baseball bats, ugg, wedding dress, converse shoes, juicy couture outlet, pandora jewelry, canada goose, pandora uk, hollister clothing, supra shoes, ralph lauren, replica watches, moncler, nike air max, iphone 6 case, gucci, air max, oakley, parajumpers outlet, moncler, lancel, moncler

Anonymous said...

ninest123 16.04
nike free, polo ralph lauren outlet, tiffany and co, louis vuitton, nike air max, louis vuitton outlet, michael kors, replica watches, kate spade outlet, prada outlet, nike free, chanel handbags, louboutin, tiffany jewelry, louis vuitton outlet, oakley sunglasses, cheap oakley sunglasses, longchamp outlet, christian louboutin outlet, uggs on sale, louis vuitton, replica watches, nike outlet, louboutin outlet, ray ban sunglasses, tory burch outlet, nike roshe run, air jordan pas cher, oakley sunglasses, prada handbags, ralph lauren pas cher, sac longchamp, longchamp pas cher, ugg boots, louboutin pas cher, oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, ugg boots, burberry, ray ban sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, gucci outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, louis vuitton, longchamp outlet, jordan shoes, louboutin shoes, nike air max, air max, longchamp

Anonymous said...

ugg boots, true religion jeans, tn pas cher, nike free run uk, ugg boots, hermes, lacoste pas cher, burberry outlet online, nike air max, abercrombie and fitch, hogan, hollister, michael kors, ralph lauren uk, true religion jeans, north face, north face, michael kors outlet, new balance pas cher, ray ban pas cher, michael kors outlet, coach outlet, oakley pas cher, michael kors, coach outlet, michael kors, true religion outlet, michael kors, lululemon, michael kors outlet, nike air max, converse pas cher, nike air max, coach purses, vanessa bruno, nike roshe, timberland, burberry, kate spade handbags, replica handbags, michael kors outlet, air force, ray ban uk, hollister pas cher, sac guess, nike blazer, true religion jeans, vans pas cher, mulberry, michael kors outlet

Anonymous said...

moncler, barbour jackets, ugg boots uk, moncler, canada goose, moncler, bottes ugg, wedding dresses, vans, canada goose uk, canada goose, converse outlet, replica watches, ray ban, pandora jewelry, moncler, thomas sabo, marc jacobs, canada goose outlet, barbour, pandora jewelry, louis vuitton, sac louis vuitton pas cher, moncler, canada goose, links of london, moncler outlet, moncler, converse, lancel, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, toms shoes, montre pas cher, ugg pas cher, canada goose outlet, karen millen, pandora charms, hollister, pandora charms, juicy couture outlet, canada goose, coach outlet, swarovski crystal, swarovski, gucci, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, moncler, supra shoes, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, doudoune canada goose, louis vuitton, juicy couture outlet
ninest123 16.04