Crystal Gorge

Sampson likes to reflect on good boating trips long after snow has fallen in Colorado. One of the most memorable trips of the year was the Crystal Gorge, although Sampson didn't go on the trip (due to the fact that 4 of us piled into a small pickup and the 80 pound hound, aka Ramone Escalate, would destroy us with his laziness and spread hix toxic gas in the vehicle)...we gave him a full trip report upon returning. Yes, even Sampson knows the river dosen't flow into the lake.

The Crystal River Gorge is a beautiful creek run outside Marble, Colorado. Its high alpine feel is reminiscent of the Crested Butte zone in May. The Crystal River Gorge runs late in the season and provides some great class V creekin. This year Sampson's crew, featuring many CKS kayakers and local heroes, enjoyed a beautiful late season afternoon in the gorge. Here's some photos of the first gorge on the Crystal....




Uncle Mengo boofs pine tree...
DK runs clean...
Dave in corkscrew
bryan boofin first drop...

about to get jerked between rock and tree...

After this the river goes into the inner gorge. It looked fascinating and burly. After a litttle scouting of this Gorge...and downstream, including the marginably concevably runnable "Miller's Falls," Sampsons crew headed to the takeout. Bryan was found downstream of the takeout by a group of locals. Having missed the takeout, swimming to avoid trespass, and bushwhacking he found his way back to the car and a cold PBR. When running the Crystal Gorge remember the river DOES NOT flow into lake (as stated in guidebook)

Even Sampson knows this!

photos courtesy of Chris Menges

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