RATTLESNAKE CANYON (Day 2 - part 1)

After going to the local library first thing in the morning and printing out the float permits, we headed over to the state park. Originally the plan had been to depart from Loma but there had been reports of numerous car break-ins.... and since my car was going to be parked there for the next several days, it wasn't worth it. Leaving from the state park only added about 5 miles to the trip.

Click the image for a larger view

The trip along the Colorado River is known as the Ruby Horsethief Float (a float is a gentle boat trip as opposed to a intense rafting trip). The most spectacular scenery lies between Horsethief Canyon (located between the Cottonwood and Salt Creek campsites) and Ruby Canyon (just over the border in Utah). There are some rapids but they are relatively easy.

The park's visitor center ... the boat ramp down to the launch site

Prepping the drift boat

Filling water jugs ... We had our own life jackets, but just in case, free ones were also available.

Bringing the boat down into the water

Cliff tied the boat a bit downstream to hide it from obvious view. We then drove both cars to the take-out site at Westwater, left his car there, then drove my car back to Fruita. This way we'd have a vehicle waiting for us at the end of the trip.

The plan was to spend nights at Cottonwood 3, Salt Creek 2 and Mee 2.

Today would take us past Loma and Rattlesnake Canyon to Cottonwood 2, a total of almost 11 miles. Once everything was loaded up, we pushed off.

A gentle float

(right) A great blue heron

Some small rapids

The start of lovely fall color

Depending on the seasonal depth of the river, the obstacles vary. The river was deep enough not to have to constantly worry about rocks just below the surface, but we still had to keep our eyes out for things like these partially submerged branches.

Controlling bank erosion

A great blue heron fishes alongside the river's edge.

Big Salt Wash as it flows under Interstate 70 (Hwy 6). Note the different water colors.

Apparently a ghost decided to join us!! This mysterious purple color splotch would continue to randomly show up on some of my photos throughout the trip.

Arriving at the Loma boat launch

It was quite busy! We were glad we didn't have to deal with any crowds at the state park launch site.

(left) A wild turkey!

See? The ghost isn't in the left photo but pops back in on the right photo. It even has a different pattern to it.

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