Answering the Call: Western Migration

There are certain laws in nature that cannot seem to be broken. One of these is: Snow melts, rivers rise, and paddlers migrate west. Like any good "learned" man knows, some laws just can't be broken. This year a mid summer tour through the Colorado Rockies, was calling my name. So I willingly submitted, answered the call, and began religiously studying the New Testament (http://www.coloradokayak.com/Whitewater-of-the-Southern-Rockies). Hoping to catch some of the late seasons classics Colorado has to offer, I found a like minded crew and we set a date for departure. We loosely made plans over email and paddling trips, discussing possible runs and the most efficient ways to travel through the state. But as we found out last year, "the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry" So this year, we had no real plan other than to go to the drainage with the best available water. This seemed to work incredibly well. Secretly though I had 5 must do runs: Cheeseman Canyon, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, North Fork of the Crystal, South Fork of the Crystal, and Big South. Not to spoil the tale, but 4 out of five aint bad. We departed Chattanooga July 2nd and 26 hours later we were charging rapids.

Adam Goshorn Boofing on Chessman Canyon


Matt Wallace on Slide for Life
Jordan Sherman filming

Independence Day is a celebration of our Great Country's adoption of the Declaration of Independence from England. Most spend their 4th of July engaging in outdoor activities, i.e. fireworks, picnics, baseball, and watermelon. We spent our Independence Day in a slightly less traditional manor, though still engaging in outdoor activities. We even had fireworks, provided by Mother Nature via a Thunderstorm. Cheesman Canyon was our picnic in the park. Wanting to take full advantage of my Independence day I decided to complete a triathlon. The 1st Annual "Cheesman Canyon Choss Country" : an 8 mile chossy, sieved out paddle; a 3 mile up-hill hike; and a 17 mile bike shuttle back to the put in to get the truck.

Joey Jarrell Charing Down Chessman Cnayon

Cheesman Canyon has had a reputation of horrible access numerous arrests and assaults have taken place throughout the years. We on the other hand had a pleasant experience. We made arrangements with the Keeper of Sportsman's' Paradise and he led us across their property. Cheesman Canyon is your California experience in Colorado. The Hayman fire burned the forest exposing the rock. It is a very continuous, steep run. It has lots of mank, choss, and sieves. Portaging and Scouting are pretty easy in Chessman Canyon thanks to a fisherman's trail that runs high along river left. This trail is extremely useful do to the lack of eddies and continuous nature of this run. This is definitely not a pool drop river. We arrived to level about 475 cfs probably about 100 more cfs than you actually want. At least 100 cfs more than I wanted. I would like to return to a level between 300-350 cfs. Regardless we put on with the best of intentions. Despite the high water, we managed to run seven of the nine named rapids, portaging Penis Buster Parfait and Dos Chaos( though there are a few other mandatory portages). The highlights after Slap Yo Mamma and Slide For Life had to be Burmese Punji Stick. The finally of the run is the 3 mile hike out. It is long and steep, but on an old road so it isn't that bad. Needless to say Cheesman Canyon was on of the most memorable Independence Days, I have ever experienced.

Matt Wallace Starting the Hiking Portion of His Triathalon

"The water is really high today." - Park Ranger

"That's how we roll." - unnamed boater in above picture

Matt Wallace Boofing on Eleven Mile

Matt Wallace charging to the take out

Typical South Platte Rapid

Eleven Mile take out rapid on the South Platte

There are very few places in the world as Magical as the Crystal Drainage. These mountains have something for everyone, whether it is 4x4 driving, hiking, camping, skiing, or especially kayaking. This is quintessential Colorado, from the back country of the North Fork to the ever popular Crystal Mill Falls . We were lucky enough to spend a few days in this drainage exploring and experiencing the goods it had to offer. Access to these areas are some of the most rugged and harsh 4 wheel drive roads I have ever experienced. Navigating these roads with a truck loaded full of kayaks and camping gear takes a team effort. If you can block out the nerves you will find some of the most breathtaking views found in Colorado. The drive is not for the faint of heart, but the risk is worth the reward.

Matt Wallace paddling Cake

Anson Fogel Filming

Adam Goshorn sliding down Icing

Matt Wallace on the North Fork of the Crystal

Boofing Number 3

Jordan Sherman dropping the Classic Number 4 on the North Fork of the Crystal


We began by at the North Fork of the Crystal. This run boated like a Class V amusement park, short, steep, fast, continuous, and did I mention fun. This is a premier river set in one of the most beautiful spots in all of Colorado. We spent an entire day lapping these drops. The next day we decided to head to the Devil's Punch Bowls, found on the South Fork of the Crystal. This is a famed double set of 30ft waterfalls found along the treacherous Schofield Pass. These drops are found at high elevation well above the tree line. The wind whipped and the sun beat down, but this didn't stop us from hucking ourselves off these famed drops. On the way out we decided no trip through the Crystal would be complete without dropping the picturesque Crystal Mill Falls. This little park-n-huck drew quite a crowd, with some of us having better success than others. Needless to say we put on a show.

Jordan Sherman Hucking the Devil's Punch Bowls

Matt Wallace on the First Drop

Matt Wallace running the Second Drop

Jordan Sherman with a picture perfect line off a picture perfect drop

Matt Wallace with the not so perfect "Air Brace"

Typical Country Roads

More 4X4 roads

Matt Wallace in Rigo on Black Rock

Joey Jarrell in "Paddle B*tch"

Typical Free Campsite

Typical Crystal Backdrop

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/

Adam Goshorn repping out West

No Words Necessary

Matt Wallace on the Big South

I am pretty sure this didn't end well.

Matt Wallace in Cool World

This ended much better.

Jordan Sherman showing why it's called " Fantasy Flight"

Headed into a "Bar Room Brawl"

Adam Goshorn Boofing his way down Big South




Our journey took us from Durango to Fort Collins and everywhere in between. We experienced classic runs like Vallictio and the Big South, while still managing to hit more obscure runs such as Castle Creek and Spencer Heights. We camped in some of the most remote and beautiful landscapes found in the Rockies and sampled some of its finest goods. Everyday was a new adventure, sometimes rising with the sun and and setting up camp well after dark. We paddled everyday for 14 days, we conquered some of the roughest 4 wheel drive terrain the Rockies had to offer, and we went days without showering. Flat tires were plugged, and showers were taken, and our western migration had finally ended. It was time for us to return home to the summer dam release runs of the Southeast. Time to meet up with old friends around rivers and campfires, swapping tales of western adventures and carnage, and making plans for next summer. But first it was a 26 hour drive home, only to immediately head to work for the night shift.