Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by mark hilbert on June 15, 2016 at 9:01pm

One month away.  We will launch from Rancho del Rio at 10:30 am on Saturday July 16th and float to Two Bridges.  The float is 8 miles and we will be camping on the river side for a bbq and bonfire.  You can set up a tent and camp out or do the entire float in a day.  I will bring be bringing a firepan and kitchen set up as well as a groover for when nature calls.

CO WBF 6

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ronald R Rupert on June 22, 2016 at 11:40am

Getting excited about the float. Hopefully you will still recognize my boat.

She got a new paint job this winter.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mark hilbert on July 18, 2016 at 8:34am

    2016 Colorado Wooden Boat Float: 28 mile long float on the Colorado River.  Thanks to all 19 participants this year.  Beautiful weather for our floats through Lower Gore and Red Canyons and Saturday float past State Bridge for our riverside BBQ sponsored by Tommyknocker Brewery and Sunday's float through the lower section of the Upper Colorado to Catamount.  Thanks to Ron and Silvia for getting great camps at Island and Sagebrush Flats, Burke for running support in his raft, Mike, Adam and Jaden for bringing their Hog Island on the float and Alex, Jodi and Calem for coming all the way from Idaho for their 3rd Wooden Boat Float.  Silvia sister and niece made the trip all the way from Switzerland for this years Float!

   6 Wooden Boats this year including:  Ron in his Grand Canyon dory "Oljeto", Hal Jaeke in his Briggs dory "Siskadee", Mike and Heather Crouch in their decked Tatman "Rock Chalk", and the fourth decked boat on the float Charlie from Gunnison in his build "Waimea Canyon."  Dreu Patterson and his daughter Bailey brought his new Rapid Robert build "The High Plains Drifter" on the float Saturday and Paulie joined me in my Don Hill "Norma Jeane" for our largest group of wooden boats in 6 years.

    Thanks to everyone for all the great food at camps, margaritas, fajitas, tamales and rellanos on Mexican night Friday,  Burgers, brats, grilled chicken and a keg of Tommyknocker beer on our Saturday BBQ.  Good times playing washers at camp, campfire dancing by Charlie and stories of wooden boats and river trips by the fire. A few trout were caught along the float and we managed to have all the boats make it downriver without any holes in them, despite me hitting a few rocks along the way. 

    coming in the summer of 2017:  The 7th Annual Colorado Wooden Boat Float.......details to follow

2016 Colorado Wooden Boat Float Lineup    

Boats at Camp Saturday night

Dreu and Bailey in his Rapid Robert

Mike and Heather joined us for the Saturday Float

Charlie and Lady in Lower Gore Canyon

Our Trip Leader, Ron Rupert holding court at camp Saturday Night

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by dreu patterson on July 18, 2016 at 8:01pm

great pics Mark.Thankyou so much for the invite and the unexpected gift of that cool t shirt!Sunday my wife and I took pumphouse to radium.The best float so far.I was ready to try yaromony rapids but was amiss in our takeout point.After this weekend my aprehensions are gone and am eager to go again and am looking for other places to go that challenge my comfort level and boat style (if you have any suggestions).Next year I plan on having more time and passengers to join in the festivities.I don't know where you get the funding for things like t shirts but if you need collections I will be glad to contribute.Also a big pleasure to meet you to all the folks we saw.I have a second name for my robert "sweet boat man" as many people were calling it on sunday.Next project-clean the shop!-Dreu

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Crouch on August 4, 2016 at 9:54am

Thanks for organizing the trip Mark! Looking forward to next year

• ▶ Reply