Glassy on the Colorado (with some occasional wind)

[gnwatts]

I have made it a habit venturing down this section of the Colorado (this is the third year) mostly by myself, as the jet boat guys come by a couple of times a day, from Potash to the Confluence. So consequently I spend a lot of time in near deafening silence, with the occasional bird or wind gust. This trip was cut short unfortunately, work related issues meant I had only 2 full days, so I just decided to take my time and let things happen. After about 4 hours of floating, about 1 pm, I found this beautiful little beach about 20' long under an overhang, where I proceeded to take a nap, as it was by my thermometer 103. But it felt pretty good. So anyway I get rudely interrupted (similar to a trip a few years ago) mid nap by 3 unwelcome yet very nice NPS personnel floating about 10' below me next to my tied up canoe. It took me a few seconds to figure out where I was, who these people were etc. I explained my situation to them, and the main ranger said take your time. He said he could see most of my required stuff, one ranger asked if my name was Greg (this was a quiz!) I replied that it was. I asked him if he wanted to see my permit and thank god he said no, because it was too frickin hot to get up and go down there. Then they left.

Later that night from my camp spot across from Musselman Canyon:

Back on the water that morning:

From my camp spot, around mile 14 (I think), I wasn't really paying attention at this point, it was so beautiful and hot and all I wanted to do was get my shade sail up. I did not mention it from the last camp spot, but it is exceedingly difficult to put up by yourself, at least for me. I was lucky the first day as the wind was not so bad, but today was a little windier. I finally got the thing up, with some rocks i searched far and wide for. I decided to take a swim, as the water was about 68 degrees, heaven. So I am sitting in the water, drinking a beer and I see this dust devil tornado about 5' wide heading for my tent WHAMO! all my stuff is thrown in the air. I just looked at it and took it all in. At least it was a big beach.

I had a leisurely morning, preparing to get picked up by the jet boat. I saw no one other than two people in a canoe about 2 hours before I was picked up.
Thanks for looking.

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[Nick]

I really want to float this section soon. Although nap-busting NPS rangers is definitely not cool! Love the story about the dust devil. I can totally picture how that went down. Whaddya do, eh?

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

looks like a relaxing and peaceful trip. I would never want to leave that beach campsite