Rafting the Cache la Poudre

The other day I went into the Room of Doom, through the Maze, down the Devil’s Staircase. And that was just the start. After Decapitation there was Cardiac. I nearly ended in the Pine Box.

It was my wife’s idea. She said our 35th wedding anniversary needed some adrenaline. That got me worried. What did she have in mind? Rafting the Poudre. Twelve miles of Class III and IV rapids with scary names. On what was the highest water day of the year, so far. My wife, Matty, is the cautious one in the family. Except when it comes to raft trips.

She booked a half day trip (“The Plunge”) with Mountain Whitewater Descents, one of four outfitters that guide Colorado’s only “Wild and Scenic River” from Ft. Collins, Colorado.

At noon Melissa, a petite, athletic woman with a black pony tail and one of their most experienced guides mustered us for the briefing. With moments of dark humor we were reminded, in short, that this was not a water park, it was the real thing. We were part of a working team, not just riders. Our paddling would allow our guide to steer. Our ready response to commands would allow the guide to steer in the right direction.

We were told what we should do if tossed out of the raft, becoming an accidental swimmer. Swim feet Read the rest of this entry »

Horsetooth Rock, CO

Highlights:  A short, pleasant, early season jaunt to the top “tooth” of this Front Range hogback, giving generous 360 degree views of mighty peaks, great plains and deep blue waters.

Location: Just west of Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Elevations: Trailhead at 5765`, Horsetooth Rock, 7256`.

Distance: Approximately 5 miles round trip, about a 3 hour walk.

Guides: Larimer County’s “Horsetooth Mountain Open Space” brochure; Caryn & Peter Boddie’s Hiking Colorado II.

Getting There: From Cheyenne, WY, take I-25 south to Harmony Road exit (#265), then west on Harmony.  Past the intersection with Taft Hill Road follow the signs to “Horsetooth Mountain Park“.  Harmony becomes CR 38E, climbing up to the Horsetooth Dam and then around the south end of the reservoir.   A large, well marked and well appointed parking area is on the right, about 58.5 miles from Cheyenne.  Daily permit is $6.  Toilets, water, picnic tables and free maps can be found there.

The Hike: Two trails begin at the north side of the parking lot.  Take the one on the right, signed to Horsetooth Rock.  There are what at first appears to be a bewildering number of trails in this 2,711 acre preserve.  Thankfully they are very well marked with steel posts.
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