Floating The North Platte June 2017

DrNed

The mountains are calling and I must go
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
1,024
Like many of you, I like to do A LOT of research prior to my adventures. Without reservation, I can say this trip is the one I have put the most research into. Mostly because my parameters were so tight.

Here's the scoop:

Our scout group decided that we wanted to build our own skin on frame kayaks. We wanted a river that we could float for 4-6 days, in the mountains and because of the boats we were building and the lack of experience, we needed a mostly flat water river.

I think I looked at every river from the Canadian border to Arizona and from Colorado to the west coast.
Many here gave great recommendations.

I would have never guessed, previously to all this research, that 60+ mile flat water river not in the desert would be so hard to find.

It was.

The 3 finalist were:
1. Smith River in Montana. - It's a lottery, and sadly, I was not chosen.
2. Upper Missouri in Montana- the perfect river for what we were looking for, but 10+ hours of driving from my Utah Valley home put a real pinch on the available time.
3. North Platte in Wyoming.

By default, we went with the North Platte.

We started building our kayaks beginning of March.
IMG_3146.JPG IMG_3201.JPG IMG_3267.JPG IMG_3268.JPG IMG_3279.JPG IMG_3287.JPG IMG_3291.JPG IMG_3308.JPG IMG_3317.JPG
They float! IMG_3367.JPG

The last week of June we were off to Wyoming.

Those who do whitewater are probably familiar with the North Platte
through Northgate Canyon at the Colorado/Wyoming border. This is a
beautiful, technical, stretch of whitewater.

We jumped on the river at the bottom of Northgate canyon and after all the whitewater.
We jumped on after carrying all our gear the 1/4 mile from the parking lot to the river.
IMG_3378.JPG IMG_3379.JPG

We would be taking 2 16-foot rafts and 8 kayaks.
IMG_3381.JPG

Here's where I have to give some more context.

I started calling the Rangers and guides in February to get first-hand info about the
river and get updates on conditions. Through February and March, I was told to not
consider floating until July because they had so much snowpack and floating before
could be dangerous.

By May the river was dropping. Instead of being at flood conditions it was going down.
Apparently, while much of the mountain west had record snow packs, southeast Wyoming
just didn't get much at the end of the season. Because of where the river is located
a lot of water is taken for irrigation farming and ranching.

So instead of a full river, we'd be floating a shallow river with a lot of rock exposure.
Thus, instead of an easy flat water river float, we'd be doing a shallow water technical float,
at least the first two days.

Our plan was to do 16 river miles on day one. Unfortunately, due to the above-mentioned
conditions, our plans were not to be. Within the first 4 miles, we'd lost one kayak and
damaged most of the others. We spent way too much time in the river. For these reasons
I don't have any pictures of the first day on the river.


Our original intent was float from Six Mile Gap to 1-80 which would have been
100+ river miles. After two days we'd covered around 20. 16 miles behind schedule.
Thus we began discussing our alternatives for ending points.

We decided the best place to pull off would be in Saratoga, WY.
The rest of the trip was comparatively uneventful.
IMG_3424.JPG IMG_3443.JPG IMG_3454.JPG IMG_3458.JPG IMG_3486.JPG IMG_3544.JPG

One of the challenges of floating the North Platte is that after the first 20 miles
there is a lot of private land surrounding the river. Which means we can float on the
water, but according to Wyoming state law if we touch the land, even the river bottom
we are trespassing. Not only that, one will see many homes and structures built along the
river, which can dampen the backcountry feel of a river trip.

Because of all the private land, floating the North Platte does require some campsite
planning, but there are plenty of resources.

If you're looking for a new place to float, the North Platte is worth your consideration.
I would suggest the best way to float the North Platte would be in inflatable kayaks.
That way, regardless of water conditions you'll have a great float.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3272.JPG
    IMG_3272.JPG
    94.7 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3382.JPG
    IMG_3382.JPG
    147.7 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3383.JPG
    IMG_3383.JPG
    150.1 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_3386.JPG
    IMG_3386.JPG
    102.9 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3387.JPG
    IMG_3387.JPG
    156.5 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3395.JPG
    IMG_3395.JPG
    162 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3396.JPG
    IMG_3396.JPG
    189.1 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_3397.JPG
    IMG_3397.JPG
    152.1 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_3398.JPG
    IMG_3398.JPG
    150.5 KB · Views: 17
  • IMG_3400.JPG
    IMG_3400.JPG
    92.9 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3401.JPG
    IMG_3401.JPG
    92.8 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_3402.JPG
    IMG_3402.JPG
    98.9 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3403.JPG
    IMG_3403.JPG
    89.8 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3404.JPG
    IMG_3404.JPG
    81.9 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3405.JPG
    IMG_3405.JPG
    79.5 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3406.JPG
    IMG_3406.JPG
    73.4 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_3408.JPG
    IMG_3408.JPG
    101 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3409.JPG
    IMG_3409.JPG
    77.9 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_3411.JPG
    IMG_3411.JPG
    131.5 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3422.JPG
    IMG_3422.JPG
    109.4 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_3423.JPG
    IMG_3423.JPG
    91.5 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3425.JPG
    IMG_3425.JPG
    82.7 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_3426.JPG
    IMG_3426.JPG
    107.3 KB · Views: 22
  • IMG_3427.JPG
    IMG_3427.JPG
    101 KB · Views: 22
  • IMG_3429.JPG
    IMG_3429.JPG
    130.5 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3430.JPG
    IMG_3430.JPG
    109.4 KB · Views: 22
  • IMG_3431.JPG
    IMG_3431.JPG
    81 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3432.JPG
    IMG_3432.JPG
    72.9 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3433.JPG
    IMG_3433.JPG
    96 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3434.JPG
    IMG_3434.JPG
    101.8 KB · Views: 27
  • IMG_3435.JPG
    IMG_3435.JPG
    110.4 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3436.JPG
    IMG_3436.JPG
    97.2 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3440.JPG
    IMG_3440.JPG
    105.6 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_3442.JPG
    IMG_3442.JPG
    115.6 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3444.JPG
    IMG_3444.JPG
    132.6 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_3445.JPG
    IMG_3445.JPG
    126.2 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3449.JPG
    IMG_3449.JPG
    102 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3452.JPG
    IMG_3452.JPG
    80.2 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3455.JPG
    IMG_3455.JPG
    121.1 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3456.JPG
    IMG_3456.JPG
    136.9 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3457.JPG
    IMG_3457.JPG
    158.8 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3459.JPG
    IMG_3459.JPG
    136.7 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3460.JPG
    IMG_3460.JPG
    145.8 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_3461.JPG
    IMG_3461.JPG
    111.7 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3462.JPG
    IMG_3462.JPG
    114 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_3478.JPG
    IMG_3478.JPG
    110.5 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_3483.JPG
    IMG_3483.JPG
    108.1 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3484.JPG
    IMG_3484.JPG
    81.6 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_3485.JPG
    IMG_3485.JPG
    110.5 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3488.JPG
    IMG_3488.JPG
    112.3 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_3489.JPG
    IMG_3489.JPG
    92.9 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3495.JPG
    IMG_3495.JPG
    103.7 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3497.JPG
    IMG_3497.JPG
    177.6 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3498.JPG
    IMG_3498.JPG
    176.6 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3499.JPG
    IMG_3499.JPG
    141.9 KB · Views: 27
  • IMG_3502.JPG
    IMG_3502.JPG
    100.6 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3533.JPG
    IMG_3533.JPG
    81.4 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3534.JPG
    IMG_3534.JPG
    81.3 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_3535.JPG
    IMG_3535.JPG
    87.9 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_3537.JPG
    IMG_3537.JPG
    84.6 KB · Views: 19
Last edited:
That is a cool scout project. How long did it take to build the kayaks?
 
Brings back memories of building (and recovering) my own skin on frame boat. Cool project, even if the float didn’t go quite as planned.
 
That is a cool scout project. How long did it take to build the kayaks?
I would say by the time we got to the end, we could build a boat in 6-8 hours. If I were to do it with one adult helping we could probably do one in 4-5 hours.
 
Way cool. Those are some lucky boys to have you guys plan something like that for them.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Ugly Floating Island- Utah Trip Planning 8
Outdoors24 Floating Labyrinth Canyon On The Water 7
K Floating down South Fork of the Snake (ID) Trip Planning 1
Jammer Floating the Yampa through Dinosaur On The Water 5
regehr floating East Canyon Creek in a packraft? Trip Planning 3
Nick Floating Glen Canyon On The Water 3
DrNed Floating Smith River in Montana Trip Planning 55
DrNed Floating Through Dinosaur National Monument Trip Planning 9
Nick Floating lower Cataract into Glen Canyon Trip Planning 2
steve Invite Floating the Provo river (Provo Canyon) this Tuesday Meet Up (Members Only) 12
Nick Floating Hite to Lake Powell Trip Planning 2
steve Invite Urban Adventure - floating the Jordan River this Sat, 3.21.15 Meet Up (Members Only) 7
steve Floating the Provo River On The Water 0
DrNed Favorite Places To Explore While Floating Labyrinth Trip Planning 38
steve Floating the San Rafael General Discussion 9
gnwatts Floating through Labyrinth Canyon On The Water 22
mattvogt7 Floating into the Maze Backpacking 10
AustinCronnelly Floating the Smith River, Montana On The Water 13
Mike K Floating the Dirty Devil Trip Planning 12
Nick Time to start floating! Gear 6
Nick Floating the South Fork Snake River On The Water 19
Timber High Sierra - North Lake to South Lake Loop - Layover Day Trip Planning 9
J Pacific Creek or North Buffalo Fork? Teton Wilderness, Thorofare ,etc. Trip Planning 10
kwc Wandering about In Theodore Roosevelt NP (north unit) Hiking & Camping 5
scatman North Ridge of City Creek Canyon - February 4, 2023 Hiking & Camping 17
kwc Round Lake, north central Adirondacks, in the Round Lake Wilderness On The Water 2
Udink North of Arches Hiking & Camping 6
Janice The Wave - and SO MUCH MORE! (Coyote Buttes North, South, White Pocket, Buckskin, Condors, Bighorns...) - Part 1 Hiking & Camping 14
scatman North Pitchstone Trail, Headwaters of Ouzel Creek, Bechler River and Mr. Bubbles(?) - Yellowstone National Park - September 13, 2021 Backpacking 36
K North To Alaska - The Aleutians and More Everything Else 3
OwenM Anyone here familiar with North Cascades NP? Trip Planning 9
Chuck the Mauler Sierra North Lake / South Lake "loop" questions Trip Planning 10
Bob Morris North Inlet Trail Trip Planning 3
scatman North Summit, Mount Olympus - July 3, 2021 Hiking & Camping 12
BJett Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area. North Carolina. Backpacking 0
RyanP North Fork Bull Lake Creek Trip Planning 35
BackpackingtheSierras Republic Pass Trail North Absaroka into Yellowstone Cache Creek and Lamar River Trip Planning 1
NorthwestWanderer North Cascades NP : Dee Dee Lakes & the Mcallister Ledge Backpacking 0
NorthwestWanderer North Cascades - Cutthroat/Granite/snowy lakes passes Backpacking 3
scatman North Summit, Mount Olympus - October 17, 2020 Hiking & Camping 16
U Favorite sites in Glacier in North Fork, Lake McDonald or Cole/Nyack? Looking at mid july Trip Planning 2
Bob Grand Canyon North Rim wildfire Trip Planning 4
J North Cascades National Park Black and Corteo Peaks Traverse Aug 21-23, 2007 Retro Backpacking 3
U Glacier North Circle Loop Mid July - Looking for an alternative back-up plan for a 3-4 nighter Trip Planning 0
Mikjik86 FULL Video Part 2 Backpacking Glacier National Park "North Circle Route" Backpacking 0
Dhuff3243 North Fork Robbers Roost and Blarney canyon Trip Planning 0
Mikjik86 Backpacking Glacier National Park (Part 2 Preview) "North Circle Route" Montana, August 2019 Backpacking 2
J Lake Mead Natl Recreation Area North Shore scramble fun. Nov. 28-30, 2019 Hiking & Camping 5
Mikjik86 Backpacking Glacier National Park - North Circle Route Part 1 Preview Video. Backpacking 1
Chuck the Mauler North Lake - South Lake questions Trip Planning 4

Similar threads

Back
Top