Sunday, August 28, 2011 | Average CFS: 1,360
On Sunday I met up with my friend Jackson and his wife Sarah to float a section of the Gunnison River from the North Fork to Colorado Highway 65 near Delta. It’s a pretty easy stretch of the river, which is a good thing since this was my first time in my own boat. Previously I have only ridden along in a larger raft, so this was a good learning experience for me. There were a few tricky sections that helped me work on my boating skills, but nothing dangerous.
Inflating the boats.
Inflating by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Ready to get on the river.
Into the River by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
On the river.
On the Gunnison by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A reflection of Sarah and Jackson in their boat.
Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Besides spending a relaxing day on the river, I also had the goal of finding a rock art site along this stretch of the river. As we started hiking to the site, we noticed there was a group of people working up there. I had heard rumors that there was a group excavating the site, but I figured that no one would be working there on a Sunday. Guess I was wrong! As we approached the group, they welcomed us in and gave us the ‘grand tour.’ Apparently they have been excavating the site for about five years now and were ready to call it quits in the next few days. However, while we were there they managed to find part of a clovis point and decided they would now be staying at least another year. Pretty interesting stuff!
The largest petroglyph panel at the site.
Lawhead Gulch Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A faint elk petroglyph at the site.
Elk Petroglyph by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Digging and searching…
Excavation by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Documenting their finds.
Documentation by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
One of the arrowheads they found while we were there.
Find by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Getting back on the river after visiting the excavation.
Back to the Boats by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Lunch on the River by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Sarah & Jackson by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It was a great day on the river!
Floating the Gunnison by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr