Aug 26
We awoke once again to coffee served out of authentic western iron pitchers, and had blueberry pancakes, sausage, yogurt, and cantaloupe. Pat wanted to get an early start because we had to do approximately 13 miles. We got out on the water and Rob took the Ducky because it was so cold (59 degrees F) that nobody wanted to get in! Once we were on the water Matthew took a turn rowing with Jordan teaching him the ropes. He did a great job before he switched into the ducky.
We approached a fantastic spot on the river where the Yampa and Green joined forces. I was glad we did not choose a Yampa River trip because all floats were canceled due to the low water. Right at the confluence of the Yampa and Green there is an enormous rock known as Steamboat Rock. I snapped a great picture showing how enormous the rock was:
We drifted around to the other side of Steamboat Rock and saw the National Park Ranger loading up a set of rafts to float the river. We also hit heavy wind for the first time as we approached “Headstand Rapids”. Jordan surprised us by attempting a headstand as we went through. Todd was manning the oars at the time.
We stopped for a delicious lunch of pasta salad and bagels. The ranger stopped by and said hello as he drifted through. When we left the lunch spot I took my turn on the ducky and we went down a series of cool rapids. We stopped at a place called Jones Hole and embarked on a 5-mile round trip hike near Jones Creek. We stopped and swam at a natural whirlpool on the way, and then saw a group of female big horn sheep…
Pat took us to two different places further up the trail: we saw some pictoglyphs and petroglyphs, and then we went to Butt Damm Falls. We blocked up the river with our butts and dried up the flow of water, then released it onto a waiting victim below. We had great fun soaking everybody, and then we hiked back along the beautiful trail
After getting back in the boat, we eventually arrived at our final campground, known as “Compromise”. We set up our tent, and then I jumped in the river to bath and swim around. At our tent site Matthew also set up a fancy contraption to dry our clothes.
The crew served us crackers and chutney, cheese and carrots. Jordan and Matthew had another fierce game of Gin Rummy while Pat cooked us up some steaks for a delicious dinner of scalloped potatoes, onions/peppers, salad, and hot brownies for dessert.
We sat around the fire and had a great last night together laughing at our adventures together. We all agreed that it had been a really great trip.
