I discussed applications of suction cups from Sticky Pod in numerous posts in this blog – mounting different cameras or GPS units on a kayak deck. A single suction cup works usually pretty good for small waterproof cameras like GoPro Hero or Pentax Optio. However, things are getting a little bit awkward if your kayak has a steep deck with a ridge in the middle. It is the case of JKK Supernova kayak where it is not so easy to level and center a camera on a front deck. I also wanted to set up the camera a little bit above the deck.

The problem was solved with the two suction cup mount. I used the following basic ingredients:
- two suction cups (you can order then directly from Sticky Pod or from Amazon.com, for about $3 each)
- aluminum flat bar (1/8″ thick, 1″ wide) from your local hard store, the length depends on your design
- three 3/8″ bolts, two 3/4″ long and one 1/2″ (or you may need some spacers) and one nut
- a piece of some cord for a tether
It took me about 10 minutes to cut the aluminum bar, drill 3 holes, smooth sharp edges and bend it to a shape.

I added a small knuckle (ball head) to my mount. It provides easy way to control the camera position and is really useful for Pentax Optio or a similar camera. I needed a tripod mount adapter for the GoPro Hero. The knuckle is really not necessary in this case since a hinge allows for up and down camera adjustment, but it is still helpful. The picture shows the knuckle from Sticky Pod. I am also using a smaller and cheaper one made by Giotto.

Shot with GoPro Hero camera mounted on a front deck of JKK Supernova kayak

Evening paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir with JKK Supernova sea kayak – warm and calm with a beautiful sunset.

I did about 10 miles from the South Bay to Orchard Cove and back. There was a construction going on a hill slope in the South Bay. A helicopter was carrying a load of concrete from a highway uphill. If these are residential houses they will not be cheap … And, a surprise: I met a sea kayaker in the northern part of the lake . He was paddling from the Satanka Cove. All boat ramps were closed, so no power boats.

All pictures were shot this time with Pentax Optio W30 which remains my main paddling camera. I am a few models behind the new developments in the Pentax line of waterproof cameras. Certainly, the newest addition, Pentax Optio WG-1, with GPS and waterproof remote looks interesting. There is also a cheaper version without GPS.

Related posts and resources:
Horsetooth Reservoir map
9 Pictures from September Paddling in Northern Colorado
Early Morning Paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir
Springtime Paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir
Icy Horsetooth Reservoir – Opening Lake Paddling Season

The Horsetooth Reservoir west of Fort Collins is busy during summer, but a paddler can still find some relatively quiet time early morning.

Below are three pictures from my morning paddling with Sea Wind canoe (7/30/2011) shot with Pentax Optio W30 camera. I launched in the Sunrise Area and paddled across the lake to visit the Quarry and Orchard coves (~6 miles in 1.5 hour). The reservoir has a very high water level and all shores with tree and bushes in water look wonderful providing some unusual opportunities to explore by kayak or canoe.

I am using 5 access and lunching spots on the Horsetooth:
1. South Bay – boat ramp
2. Inlet Bay – boat ramp
3. Satanka Bay – boat ramp
4. Sunrise Area from the Centennial Road.
5. North Eltuck Cove from the Lory State Park (trail access up to 0.25 mile at a low water)

I am avoiding boat ramps during power boat season. Off season, I am often using one of the South Bay boat ramps. It’s possible to park on a beach close to water there. Access point 1-4 require Larimer County Parks pass for your car. You also need a paddling pass. These are quite expensive. I paddle on the Horsetooth only when I buy annual passes. Well, sometimes, especially of season I visit the Horsetooth from the Lory State Park.

Related posts:
Summer Paddling near Fort Collins and Loveland

Horsetooth Reservoir is very busy as usual in the middle of summer and boating season. Fortunately, it is possible at least to avoid using boat ramps to launch a kayak or canoe. I am using a newly reopened Sunrise Area. You can now drive down to a swimming beach and park close to water.

Numerous fishing reservoir provide opportunity for a more calm paddling. I often paddle Boedecker and Lonetree Reservoir southwest from Loveland (below Carter Lake). Pictures below were taken on two recent trips to the Lonetree Reservoir. Water level is still high. There is a lot of water vegetation in coves, but not yet too dense to stop paddling. I usually like to squeeze around trees and log jams to explore the supplying ditch all the way to the main road. The bridge has a pretty low clearance at this water level.

Related posts:
Fisheye Lens Perspective for Paddling?
Springtime Paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir
Icy Horsetooth Reservoir – Opening Lake Paddling Season
Paddling Horsetooth Reservoir in Winter Scenery
Early Morning Shot of the Horsetooth Reservoir and Paddling Links
160 Lakes and Reservoirs of Colorado
Horsetooth Reservoir map
WSBS Thunderbolt-X Kayak on the Lonetree Reservoir
Paddling through Forest and Irrigation Ditches

Easter Day evening. 10+ miles of paddling with Sea Wind canoe on the Horsetooth Reservoir.

It was raining all the time, but I enjoyed wet and calm scenery. Looking through rain at the Arthurs Rock and Lory State Park I was sure that I preferred paddling in that weather than hiking or biking. All pictures were shot with my Pentax Optio W30.

I have also some picture with more Easter spirit. You are welcome to check my Variations on Eggs and Chives in Pixels Away blog or my stock portfolio.

Related posts:
Fisheye Lens Perspective for Paddling?
Springtime Paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir
Icy Horsetooth Reservoir – Opening Lake Paddling Season
Paddling Horsetooth Reservoir in Winter Scenery
Early Morning Shot of the Horsetooth Reservoir and Paddling Links
160 Lakes and Reservoirs of Colorado

Since I bought annual passes for Larimer County Parks I am paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir quite regularly this springtime. I started with Sea Wind canoe when the lake was still covered by ice. Now, I am paddling mostly Thunderbolt kayak, but I am going to use other boats too (at least for photography purposes).

I love early (and late) season on the Horsetooth since there is very little or no motor boat traffic. However, paddling workout with a racing kayak is always more challenging here than on a smaller body of water like Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area. This narrow reservoir is about 6 miles long. You can make a 14 mile loop by paddling around the lake. Many more miles can be added if you follow closely the shore and visit all coves.

Last time (April 18, 2010) I started at the South Bay and paddled total 11+ miles to the island next to Eltuck coves and back. The water level is high enough to make it an island now (a favorite place for Canadian geese).

Pictures above were shot with Canon PowerShot G11. I still don’t have a waterproof housing for that camera. It travels in a small Pelican case. The last picture came from my paddling camera on duty, Pentax Optio W30. I am waiting for reviews of the last Pentax model (W90), but my W30 is still working fine.

Related posts:
Icy Horsetooth Reservoir – Opening Lake Paddling Season
Cost of Paddling – Access to Local, County, State and Federal Waters
160 Lakes and Reservoirs of Colorado

March 16, 2010. My lake paddling season in Colorado is opened!

I took Sea Wind Canoe for a short paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir. I started at Satanka Cove next to the dam and managed to go to the South Eltuck Cove. Ice was melting along shores creating a narrow channel of free water. However, wind was shifting ice and some passages were closed making necessary to drag or push my boat over ice.

All the way I stayed next to the shore, so my round trip got pretty long – 6 miles. Ice canoe racing was coming to my mind. Now, I need a little bit of snow to enhance my pictures.

Related posts:
Paddling and Photographing the Horsetooth Reservoir in Northern Colorado
Cost of Paddling – Access to Local, County, State and Federal Waters
Paddling Horsetooth Reservoir in Winter Scenery
Sea Wind on the Horsetooth Reservoir – Colorado Winter Paddling Video
Launching Thunderbolt Kayak on Horsetooth Reservoir from Lory State Park
Ice Canoe Racing across St Lawrence River in Quebec City

Actually, I had two short paddling and photography workout on Horsetooth Reservoir during the Thanksgiving Day weekend. In both cases I launched Thunderbolt kayak from Lory State Park at North Eltuck Cove. The water level is very low right now, so it required 0.25 mile walking to reach water from a parking spot. It was much longer walk than showed by my video clip from April 2007, but still only about 7 minutes.

Weather was great, sunny and warm during day, and getting pretty chilly after sunset. These deep coves on western side of the Horsetooth are going into shadow of mountains at least one hour before official sunset time. There was some snow on northern slopes and a little of coastal ice.

I did some self shooting with my new Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera with 24-1045 mm zoom lens mounted on a tripod with a time controller. Pictures from a kayak were taken with Pentax Optio W30.

Related posts:
Paddling Horsetooth Reservoir in Winter Scenery (March 2009)
Launching Thunderbolt Kayak on Horsetooth Reservoir from Lory State Park (April 2007)
Paddling Horsetooth Reservoir (River) 6 Years Ago
Paddling and Photographing the Horsetooth Reservoir in Northern Colorado (March 2007)
A New Shooting Angle – Camera Video Mast on Thunderbolt Kayak (June 2008)
Paddling and Photographing the Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins, Colorado (November 2007)
Paddling in the Rain and Wind on the Horsetooth Reservoir (May 2007)
Paddling the Skeleton Coast (April 2007)
Horsetooth Reservoir paddling photography at Mountain Wayfarer (2000-2004)

I am trying to return back to my older articles through “Paddling Photography a Year Ago” series. However, I am running this blog for over 5 years. So, today, I offer a look at selected April posts over the recent 4 years.