Date: 2009-05-24 10:00am
Run: Cache la Poudre River (Upper Mish (Tunnel Rapid) to Bridges Take Out)
Flow: 1600 cfs (4′ on the Pineview Gauge)
Class: IV/III
Temperature: 60 cloudy
Buddies: Chadwick Shoults, Fino
Description: A good run down the Poudre at a pretty good flow. The water was a 4′ on the Pineview rock gauge. Fino and I started just above the tunnel rapid in upper Mishawaka. The tunnel rapid was pretty continuous, but no real problems. Mishawaka falls were challenging, but not as continuous, so there was plenty of time to pick a line. Running through the rest of upper mish, lower mish, and poudre park was pretty straight-forward. There is one large hole to avoid at the end of lower mish or poudre park, but there is a channel on the left that would take you right around it. Cardiac corner was no problem at all. Pineview falls was probably the most fun rapid on the run. Fino and I scouted the rapid. At the top, there is a large rock sticking up that divides the run into two choices. There appeared to be two good lines right at the top: the left side would require a move right to avoid a hole/pour-over, then a move back left to avoid a large hole on the right. The right line seemed easier, basically, drop in, then start paddling left to avoid the hole. After the large hole, there was another large hole in the center which could be easily avoided on the right or left. After that, there is the “Disneyland Rock,” which was no problem. Finally there is on smallish drop at the end. Fino and I both took the right line at the top. I was clean through the drop-in and the large hole. After the hole, I worked my way right around the second hole, then aimed straight for the slide down Disneyland Rock. I sort of got in position for the slide, but not quite. I ended up riding the pillow of water down to the bottom, where I had to roll. The rest of the run (Bridges) was fun. Good wave trains, but nothing too difficult.
Carnage: A couple rolls here and there, no swims
