Our plan for Sunday was to take a raft trip on the Colorado River. This would give us another day to acclimate without being too strenuous. The weather forecast was for highs around 81 with a chance of thunderstorms, more likely after noon. Bob and Ginny had plans around Dillon reservoir for today, but would be joining us tomorrow for a hike up Mt. Bierstadt.
We contacted Adventures in Whitewater in Winter Park and scheduled a 1/2 day (leisure) trip. We had to be in Kremmling at 10 am and should return around 2 pm.
The drive from Fraser to Kremmling took about 50 minutes. We were outfitted with gear, loaded on a bus along with rafts and paddles, and headed down to the launch area at Pumphouse. Our route on the river would take us from Pumphouse to Radium, just above the Little Gore Canyon.
At Pumphouse, we were given safety instructions by our trip leader, Jery. We now know what to do if Dave falls overboard or if we get hung up on a rock (High Side).
What a crew!!........
Cindy and Nitsa finally got all the paddles properly aligned for a group shot......
And we were off.................
We would be rafting below Gore Canyon, which is a serious stretch of water. At this time, no one was rafting through Gore Canyon, as the water was too dangerous. Our trip would take us through some Class 2 rapids at "Wake Up Rapid" and "Needle Eye Rapids" after we launched from Pumphouse.
We stopped at "Jump Rock", a 30 ft jump down into the Colorado for those so inclined...
Here goes Karl............
Followed by Jim ........
AND Barb....................
The water was cold, but the adreline rush kept you warm.
The lunch spots were taken, so we continued to the take-out spot in Radium, where we reluctantly ended our raft trip. We had been on the river for about 2 hours.
Dave's swimsuit was GLOWING!!!!!!!
Where's lunch? (Karl's concern..)
We relaxed in the picnic area while the trip leaders set up our lunch.
The sky was getting dark and it looked as though we would get a thunderstorm soon.
After our "gourmet" lunch, sandwiches, chips, cookies, avacado... we loaded back into the bus and made the LONG trip back to Kremmling in the rain.... It was a great day on the river.
After changing into dry clothes, we split up. The women headed back to Fraser and the men headed down to Georgetown to check out Guanella Pass and the TH for tomorrow's hike at Mt. Bierstadt. The drive down to Route 70 (Dillon) was great, then we got stuck in some slow weekend traffic heading east on 70 to Georgetown. The drive up Guanella Pass was beautiful and we arrived at the TH around 5 pm to this view of Mt. Bierstadt..........
A look from the parking lot towards Georgetown... Longs Peak is seen in the distance..
Check out the video...........
We'' be back tomorrow.... bright and early !!
We returned to Fraser at 7 pm to a delicious chicken dinner made by the women, with roast potatoes, salad and ice cream for dessert. An Approved Training Meal !!
We called Bob & Ginny and arranged to meet them tomorrow morning at the Georgetown Visitor Center (just off exit 226 on Rt 70) at 6:15 am. We need to get there early to get through the construction on Guanella Pass road before it closes for construction work. Hopefully the trains don't keep us awake again tonight so we are rested tomorrow.
Whitewater rafting is a fun and excellent activity that gives you an adventurous experience.
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