Every year, in the middle of March, paddling clubs in northern Colorado organize a joint trip on the South Platte River from Evans to Kersey or further to Kuner as an opening of paddling season. During recent years I use to launch my boat around sunrise at Kersey and paddle upstream to Evans to meet downriver paddlers. In last two years I was joined by other paddlers and an informal race was created. Eric Nyre name it “Rotten Egg” race (a trophy for the last finisher?).
I needed about 4:30 hours to cover 9 miles upstream in a fast cruising mode in Sisson Nucleus 100 kayak or Spencer X-treme canoe. I paddled Thunderbolt-X kayak in the first two years of the race reaching Evans in 3:37 (2007) and 3:25 (2008 at ~850cfs). This year we expect much lower water: 400cfs at Kersey or even less. See river pictures from the March 15 paddling.
The race starts at 7am, March 22, 2009 at Kersey (highway 37 bridge – map). This is exactly sunrise time this year. Slower paddlers may start earlier.
- This is unofficial and unorganized race, so your are totally responsible for what are you doing on the river.
- There are no entry fees and no awards. I am going to post all race times here, hopefully, with some pictures.
- Keep in mind that you need to paddle back from Evans to Kersey, so take extra drinks and food.
- You may get pretty cold at Evans after paddling 9 miles upstream – a change of cloths or a jacket are really welcome there.
- A cell phone may be useful for emergency. You can expect many boats running downriver, but they take a longer lunch stop at the Plumb Ditch Dam which may be good meeting point if you cannot reach Evans for any reasons.
- We will be asking the winner to establish the finish line and record time of arriving racers, but be prepared to record your starting and finishing time.
Please let me know if you are going to participate in the race, especially, if you are planning to start earlier (or later).
| mileage | landmark |
| 0.0 | start – highway 37 bridge north of Kersey |
| 2.7 | Poudre River on your right (big tree in water) |
| 3.9 | E 18th St bridge |
| 4.7 | Plumb Ditch Dam – portage on your right |
|
5.8 |
US 34 bus bridge |
| 6.5 | US 34 bridge |
| 7.1 |
Patterson Ditch Dam – portage on your left |
| 8.3 | 37th St bridge |
| 9.1 |
finish – Evans Riverside Park (on your right, powerline), many boats preparing to launch the winner should land at first downstream boat and wait for other racers there |
If you would like to paddle the South Platte, but you are not crazy enough to do it upstream, you can join the downriver trip starting at Evans Riverside Park. Here is information from CanoeColorado
Evans to Kersey – 9 miles with 2 portages
Evans to Kuner – 14 miles with 2 portagesThis is our annual joint clubs trip, where all the local paddle clubs come together for a spring social. Shuttle will leave at 9:30am from the Evans Ballfields This trip will follow the Colorado Paddlers Rules. For more information contact: Eric Nyre
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