paddling with a camera

We are spending a long weekend at Saratoga, Wyoming, paddling North Platte River and preparing for the tomorrow Wyoming Outback Challenge - 48 mile paddling race from Saratoga to Fort Steele.

The above picture shows the Eagle Nest - a spectacular cliff and a primitive rock diversion dam about 36 mile downstream from Saratoga. The irrigation ditch leaves the river on left along the cliff. It is possible to access this spot by car from I-80 if you are ready to drive 10 miles on range roads often with deep ruts. You can paddle over that dam taking the main channel just left from the entry to irrigation ditch or paddling far left around the dam. Judging from the rock material dumped on the left shore that left bypass will be blocked.

The river is high and beautiful. Everything is green. A lot of delicate wild flowers among sagebrush bushes. I usually paddle North Platte earlier in the year before spring is showing in Wyoming.

Race results and more pictures

Related posts:

• Memorial Day Race - Wyoming Outback Challenge on the North Platte River
• 2007 Wyoming Outback Challenge on North Platte River
• more paddling on North Platte River at Mountain Wayfarer
• North Platte River above Seminoe Reservoir, Wyoming
• North Platte River from Treasure Island to Pick Bridge - movie
• The Floater's Guide to Wyoming Rivers: Paddle and Portage
• Wyoming Atlas & Gazetteer
• map of public access areas by Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• North Platte River guides by Canoe Colorado:
  Treasure Island-Saratoga and Saratoga-Pick Bridge
• river flow: Northgate, CO | Ft Steele/Dugway