Posted on August 31st, 2010
Hi paddlers,
Four kayaks and a canoe showed up to paddle a very calm Gates of the Mountain last Tuesday. It was a good evening.
This Tuesday we plan to meet at Chinaman's Gulch Campground on Canyon Ferry Lake and start paddling at 6:15. Hopefully this rainy weather will pass by then. A
Susan
Directions to Chinaman's Gulch Campground: Drive out on Canyon Ferry Road (either from Custer Ave in town, or from Spokane Creek Road off Hwy 12.) Cross the dam and follow the road around past the Visitor Center and Dam Maintenance Buildings. About 2-3 miles from the dam, you will see a right turn at the top of the hill for Chinaman's Gulch Campground. (If you get to Kim's Marina you have gone too far.) Drive down to the water at the end of the road. (Warning: there is still major construction on Canyon Ferry Rd. for several miles, just after the roundabout at Lake Helena Drive. Spokane Creek Rd. at the junction of Canyon Ferry Rd. is also under construction but you have lots fewer miles to drive on torn-up road surfaces. It is definitely the best route to CF Lake.)
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Posted on August 21st, 2010
Hi paddlers,
Great evening paddling from Riverside Campground last Tuesday. We had about 8 or 9 kayaks and a couple of canoes out with us.
This week we are going back out to the Gates of the Mountains one more time. We will try to get on the water a little before 6:15, if possible.
Susan
Directions: go north on I-15 to Gates of the Mountains exit. Take road down past the Hilger Ranch to the marina. Note: There is a $3.00/vehicle launch fee at the marina.
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Posted on August 17th, 2010
Hi paddlers,
Last week 8 kayaks and 2 canoes showed up at Black Sandy, sure that we could beat the weather and have a nice paddle!! But the weather didn't cooperate. We had paddled up to Hauser Dam and then the sky started to rumble and after about 15 minutes of that, the lightning started. So we took refuge off the water in the woods for about 45 minutes before making a fast paddle back to the dock.
This week we decided to go somewhere the group hasn't gone to before, though some of us have done it on our own. We plan to meet at Riverside Campground below Canyon Ferry Dam and paddle north toward Lakeside, as far as we feel like going before heading back. Meet at 6:15 on the water.
Directions to Riverside Campground: Drive out on Canyon Ferry Road (either from Custer Ave in town, or from Spokane Creek Road off Hwy 12.) Cross the dam and follow the road around to the Visitor Center and Dam Maintenance Buildings. Turn left on Jimtown Road. Follow it down the hill to Riverside Road and the campground.
Warning: there is major construction on Canyon Ferry Rd. for several miles, just after the roundabout at Lake Helena Drive. Spokane Creek Rd. at the junction of Canyon Ferry Rd. is also under construction but you have lots fewer miles to drive on torn-up road surfaces. It is definitely the best route to take.
See you on the water.
Susan
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Posted on August 7th, 2010
Paddling this coming Tuesday is at Black Sandy at 6:15. Come on out! The more the merrier!
Directions: Take Lincoln Road about 4 miles from I 15 until it Ts; then go left about 3 miles on Hauser Dam Road to the lake. Black Sandy is right there, where you see the lake, before you head up to the dam. You can also come up Lake Helena Drive. Pass the causeway and it will eventually become Hauser Dam Road and take you to Black Sandy.)
Susan
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General info for folks new to the group:
Our flatwater paddling group is a group of folks who informally get together on Tuesday evenings for a couple hours to paddle on various open bodies of water in the Helena area We've paddled at the Regulating Reservoir, from York Bridge going both north & south, from the Causeway on Lake Helena Drive, out at Canyon Ferry, and at the Gates of the Mountains. We try to be on the water by 6:15.
People need to have their own boats, life jackets, paddles, etc. and be able to be responsible for themselves. You should also be pretty comfortable on open water and in dealing with wind and occasional choppy water. It's a fun, sociable group of people and we all enjoy paddling for fun and recreation. We also enjoy getting more people involved in kayaking.
Each Tuesday evening we decide where to meet the following week and I've volunteered to e-mail reminders about the meeting spot. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
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Posted on August 1st, 2010
Hi paddlers,
Last week only 3 people were brave enough to believe that the weather would not be a problem and went out to Canyon Ferry. I know I thought it looked bad and decided against going, though I knew I would regret it and I did when I heard from Scott, Gregg, & Wendy that they had had a nice evening. Oh well!!
This week we are going up to Gates of the Mountains, meeting at 6:15. We will paddle as far up the canyon as we can and still make it back before it gets too late, though people can turn around whenever they want.
Directions: go north on I-15 to Gates of the Mountains exit. Take road down past the Hilger Ranch to the marina. Note: There is a $3.00/vehicle launch fee so it you can carpool, do so. We might be able to combine some of us on a kayak trailer, so let me know if you are interested.
Susan
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Posted on July 26th, 2010
Hi paddlers,
Paddling at York Bridge last week brought out about 15 kayaks and a canoe. It was a great paddle up the canyon. This Tuesday, meet at Chinaman's Gulch campground on Canyon Ferry Lake. We will see you on the water at 6:15.
Susan
Directions to Chinaman's Gulch Campground: Drive out on Canyon Ferry Road (either from Custer Ave in town, or from Spokane Creek Road off Hwy 12.) Cross the dam and follow the road around past the Visitor Center and Dam Maintenance Buildings. About 2-3 miles from the dam, you will see a right turn at the top of the hill for Chinaman's Gulch Campground. (If you get to Kim's Marina you have gone too far.) Drive down to the water at the end of the road.
Warning: there is major construction on Canyon Ferry Rd. for several miles, just after the roundabout at Lake Helena Drive. Spokane Creek Rd. at the junction of Canyon Ferry Rd. is also under construction but you have lots fewer miles to drive on torn-up road surfaces. It is definitely the best route to CF Lake.
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Posted on July 18th, 2010
Hi Paddlers,
Don't know who went out last Tuesday or if the folks who showed up decided where they wanted to go for this week, but having heard nothing, Jim says let's go to York Bridge this week. Hopefully there will be no effects of the Riverside Fire in the area. See you on the water at 6:15.
Susan
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Posted on July 12th, 2010
Hi paddlers,
We had a beautiful evening at Black Sandy last Tuesday with 7 kayaks and a canoe. It was great to have some new folks come out. The plan for Tuesday the 13th is to meet at York Bridge by 6:15. Many of the usual paddlers, including myself, will be gone, but hopefully someone who has paddled with us at York Bridge will show up. If not, have a good time anyway!! And if anyone wants to decide where to go on the 20th, please let me know.
Directions: York Bridge Fishing Access is located approximately 15 miles east of Helena on York Road and 2 miles past the Devil's Elbow Campground. If you get to the bridge, you have gone too far.
Susan
________________________________________
General info for folks new to the group:
Our flatwater paddling group is a group of folks who informally get together on Tuesday evenings for a couple hours to paddle on various open bodies of water in the Helena area We've paddled at the Regulating Reservoir, from York Bridge going both north & south, from the Causeway on Lake Helena Drive, out at Canyon Ferry, at Black Sandy, and at the Gates of the Mountains. We try to be on the water by 6:15.
People need to have their own boats, life jackets, paddles, etc. and be able to be responsible for themselves. You should also be pretty comfortable on open water and in dealing with wind and occasional choppy water. It's a fun, sociable group of people and we all enjoy paddling for fun and recreation. We also enjoy getting more people involved in kayaking. Occasionally we plan trips on weekends.
Each Tuesday evening we decide where to meet the following week and I've volunteered to e-mail reminders about the meeting spot. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
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Posted on July 5th, 2010
Hi paddlers,
Last week 2 intrepid paddlers showed up at Black Sandy despite the threatening clouds that appeared in town and they got in an hour of calm, warm paddling before the sky turned nasty! Good for them.
This week we will try for a good showing at Black Sandy Campground. Meet there and be ready to be on the water at 6:15. I think the weather is supposed to be good.
See you there.
Susan
Directions to Black Sandy: Take Lincoln Road about 4 miles from I 15 until it Ts; then go left about 3 miles on Hauser Dam Rd. to the lake. Black Sandy is right there, where you see the lake, before you head up to the dam. You can also come up Lake Helena Drive. Pass the causeway and it will eventually become Hauser Dam Rd and take you to Black Sandy.)
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Posted on June 26th, 2010
Hi kayakers,
Will we finally have summer? Last Tuesday was a beautiful evening on Canyon Ferry Lake. We had 9 people, a few of whom were getting in their boats for the first time this season. Yea!!
This Tuesday, the plan is to meet at Black Sandy Campground at 6:15.
(Directions: take Lincoln Road about 4 miles from I 15 until it Ts; then go left about 3 miles on Hauser Dam Rd. to the lake. Black Sandy is right there, where you see the lake, before you head up to the dam. You can also come up Lake Helena Drive. Pass the causeway and it will eventually become Hauser Dam Rd and take you to Black Sandy.)
See you on the water.
Susan
_________________________________________
General info for folks new to the group:
Our flatwater paddling group is a group of folks who informally get together on Tuesday evenings for a couple hours to paddle on various open bodies of water in the Helena area We've paddled at the Regulating Reservoir, from York Bridge going both north & south, from the Causeway on Lake Helena Drive, out at Canyon Ferry, and at the Gates of the Mountains. We try to be on the water by 6:15.
People need to have their own boats, life jackets, paddles, etc. and be able to be responsible for themselves. You should also be pretty comfortable on open water and in dealing with wind and occasional choppy water. It's a fun, sociable group of people and we all enjoy paddling for fun and recreation. We also enjoy getting more people involved in kayaking. Occasionally we plan trips on weekends.
Each Tuesday evening we decide where to meet the following week and I've volunteered to e-mail reminders about the meeting spot. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
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