The
Pumphouse Run On The Colorado River
|
||||
![]() |
||||
All photos by Paul Katz - The entrance to Little Gore Canyon
|
||||
Description Section: |
||||
![]() |
||||
Photographer Paul Katz actually liked the trains
coming by every half hour.
|
||||
![]() |
||||
A small hydraulic along the way.
|
||||
After Needle Eye Rapid the river leaves Little Gore canyon a enters a
wide flat open area that continues for about five miles. The Walt Woodward
Watchable Wildlife Trail and the Blacktail Creek enter just to the right
after you clear Little Gore canyon. A mile of so down river, Sheephorn Creek
enter the river on the left. Just shy of five miles past Little Gore canyon
the radium bridge crosses the river with river access on the left at the
Radium Recreation Site. The recreation site is just down river from the
bridge. Note that there is very little access from roads and cars on this
run. The Radium Bridge is the first real access after the put in and there
is not another one until Rancho Del Rio which is about six miles downstream.
|
||||
![]() |
||||
There are several campsites along the river and they
are quite nice!
|
||||
Feature # 2: Radium Bridge:
After I got back into town, I talked to an experienced fishing guide and expert boatsman Mike Arnold. Mike said he has seen Yarmony rapid flip every other raft through at higher water. I scouted this rapid because I could not see the path through and the light levels were starting to get low. As I scouted Yarmony, I saw three boats run the rapid and they all ran it left, and made a move right after they passed the hole. At 1,200 C.F.S. the hole does not appear to be a big threat. Many people will not scout this one, but with only one boat on this float and my first time through it, I get a little cautious. |
||||
![]() |
||||
There are several small rapids that do not get any
mention. This is a typical no name rapid. At 2,000 C.F.S. this rapid may be totally submerged. |
||||
If you consult the guide books, you may get the idea
there are only a few rapids on this section. There are only two big rapids
but there are several areas that require you to find a route. I probably
would not float this section below 1.200 C.F.S. because most rafts will
scrape bottom a few times, and the rock gardens make it difficult to guess
which route is best. Feature # 4: Rancho Del Rio GPS Coordinates: Long: W 106, 36', 29" Lat: N 39, 53', 42" Feature Recognition: After you pass an island, you can see the beach and take out on river left. The buildings are a dead give away you have arrived, because there are few buildings on this run. Rancho Del Rio is a modest retreat with some services. I believe there is a fee to take out here. These are also the guys that run the shutte. Shuttle number is (970) 653-4431. They can park your car here or at State Bridge. They have a standard way of operating and they will explain it to you when you call. The interesting thing about shuttles is that most of the time I never meet anyone. They just pick the truck up and we float to it. It is always a good idea to bring a spare set of keys. Feature # 5: Yarmony Bridge GPS Coordinates: Long: W 106, 36', 58" Lat: N 39, 53', 26" Feature Recognition:You can see this one coming before you get to it. The river takes a turn to the left just before you get to the bridge. As a result of reading River Rescue by Les Bechdel and Slim Ray and Kayak by William Nealy, I take all bridges seriously. Even easy ones like this one. After Rancho Del Rio the current speeds up a little. At this point the Colorado is a slow smooth river with very little whitewater. Floating to State Bridge is an all day affair. Daylight fades quickly in October and we got a little anxious after watching people get out at Rancho Del Rio. If you like to fly fish, this is a great float from beginning to end. Although whirling disease has taken a heavy toll on the upper Colorado, it is still a good river. Since it affects Rainbow trout the most, that is the fish that has suffered. Now the river offers mostly brown trout but they can be very big indeed. I have heard stories of 20" plus fish more than a few times. The Whitefish is also present here and I find this a fun fish to catch. They are more than willing to take a dropper fly presented off a big dry fly. They usually are in the 15" range and fight quite well. Two years ago they saved what otherwise would have been a miserable fishing trip. Flies To Consider: Elk Hair Caddis in the summer trailed by a Pheasant tail (size 18) is a good combination. Brown trout love Woolly Buggers and anyone can fish one. Hoppers and crickets are good summer patterns. |
||||
![]() |
||||
Much of this run has slow quiet sections.
|
||||
The final four miles are mostly quiet with a few small
rapids. The open character of the river has completely taken over. The canyons
are now far behind and weed beds are lining the slower shallow water. The Piney River flows into the Colorado about a half mile before state bridge on river left. Feature # 6: State Bridge GPS Coordinates: Long: W 106, 39', 04" Lat: N 39, 51', 27" Feature Recognition:One half mile after the Piney River enters the Colorado, State Bridge appears. The take out is on river left. There was a fee of $2.50 per person last year. Lots of take outs are strange but this was one of the best. We met three people that could hardly stand up. I'm still not sure how they were able to pack up their inflatable and drive away. The take out is modest and unimproved. Dirt and mud (if it rains) are the normal conditions. Trucks are a good idea, but cars can get the job done. |
||||
|