paddling with a camera

After scouting Big Thompson east of I-25 I decided to check it just below Loveland where access should be easier. I stopped at Simpson Ponds SWA below Loveland. The pictures show the river under and below the 9E Road bride next to the ponds. There is Big Thompson Ponds SWA down the river (still above I-25) that may provide another useful access point. The river looked so inviting that I decided to launch my Sisson kayak and try some upstream paddling.

The river was quite nice despite of flowing through some industrial areas. Brown color still dominated the landscape but shores were already getting green with a fresh grass.

Water was mostly deep enough and paddling upstream was not very hard. A few shallow spots were hard on my paddle. Narrow channels with sharp turnings provided some challenge. There were fallen trees and stumps in water but all obstacles could be avoided. However, I had to make two short portages over "pipe" bridges typical for gravel pits.

The water wasn't crystal clear. Time to time I could smell some sewage aroma. It wasn't any worse than in South Platte River. I enjoyed my regular company of geese, ducks and herons.

After 1.7 miles and less than 1.5 hour of upstream paddling I reached the 11H Road bridge. Further upstream, the river was divided into several narrow channels and it looked steeper. I decided to turn back. Paddling down the river was a real fun but strainers and sharp turnings required attention.

It was a nice evening paddling. If Big Thompson is still flowing I will try to explore it further.

GPS trip odometer: 3.4 miles, moving time 1:18h, stopping time 0:34h, moving speed 2.6 mph, max speed 8.1 mph.

Related posts:

• 03/28/2005 Big Thompson River ?
• 04/11/2005 Big Thompson River from I-25 to Hillsboro Dam
• 04/20/2005 Paddling Upstream Can Be Faster than Downstream - Hail Storm on the Big Thompson
• 04/26/2005 Big Thompson River with a New Pentax Optio WP Camera
• 07/02/2005 Sinking Sisson Nucleus Kayak on the Big Thompson River
• 07/06/2005 Back to Big T with Sisson Nucleus